Selected Axial and Appendicular Skeleton Joints

Vocabulary flashcards covering the articular components, structural classifications, and functional movements of selected axial and appendicular skeleton joints.

Suture

• a fibrous joint situated between skull bones

• allows no movement.

Atlanto-occipital joint

• between the superior articular facets of the atlas and the occipital condyles of the occipital bone

• allows flexion and extension of the head, as well as slight lateral flexion of the head to either side.

Atlanto-axial joint

(1) between the dens of the axis and the anterior arch of the atlas

(2) a synovial (planar) joint between the lateral masses of the atlas and axis

• allows rotation of the head.

Intervertebral joint

(1) a cartilaginous (symphysis) joint between vertebral bodies,

(2) a synovial (planar) joint between vertebral arches

• allows flexion, extension, lateral flexion, and rotation of the vertebral column.

Vertebrocostal joint

(1) between articular facets of heads of ribs and costal facets of bodies of adjacent thoracic vertebrae and intervertebral discs between them

(2) between the articular facet of tubercles of ribs and the transverse costal facet of thoracic vertebrae

• allows slight gliding.

Sternocostal joint

• between the sternum and the first seven pairs of ribs

• with slight gliding between the sternum and the second through seventh pairs of ribs.

Lumbosacral joint

(1) between the body of the fifth lumbar vertebra and the base of the sacrum as a cartilaginous (symphysis) joint

(2) between inferior articular facets of the fifth lumbar vertebra and superior articular facets of the first vertebra of the sacrum as a synovial (planar) joint

• flexion, extension, lateral flexion, and rotation of the vertebral column.

Sternoclavicular joint

• between the sternal end of the clavicle, the manubrium of the sternum, and the first costal cartilage

• allows gliding, with limited movements in nearly every direction.

Acromiociavicular joint

• between the acromion of the scapula and the acromial end of the clavicle

• allows gliding and rotation of the scapula on the clavicle.

Radioulnar joint

• proximal radioulnar joint between the head of the radius and radial notch of the ulna, and the distal radioulnar joint between the ulnar notch of the radius and head of the ulna

• allows rotation of the forearm.

Wrist (radiocarpal) joint

• between the distal end of the radius and the scaphoid, lunate, and triquetrum bones of the carpus

• flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, circumduction, and slight hyperextension of the wrist.

Intercarpal joint

• Between the proximal row of carpal bones, the distal row of carpal bones, and between both rows of carpal bones

• allows gliding plus flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, and slight rotation at midcarpal joints.

Carpometacarpal joint

• joint classified as synovial (saddle) at the thumb (between trapezium of carpus and first metacarpal)

• permitting flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, and circumduction;

Metacarpophalangeal and metatarsophalangeal joints

• between the heads of metacarpals (or metatarsals) and the bases of proximal phalanges

• allow flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, and circumduction of phalanges.

Interphalangeal joint

• between heads of phalanges and bases of more distal phalanges

• flexion and extension of phalanges.

Sacroiliac joint

• between the auricular surfaces of the sacrum and ilia of the hip bones

• allows slight gliding

Pubic symphysis

• between the anterior surfaces of the hip bones

• permits slight movements

Tibiofibular joint

• between the lateral condyle of the tibia and the head of the fibula [synovial (plane)], and the distal tibiofibular joint between the distal end of the fibula and the fibular notch of the tibia

• allows slight gliding at the proximal joint and slight rotation of the fibula during dorsiflexion of the foot.

Ankle (talocrural) joint

(1) between the distal end of the tibia and its medial malleolus and the talus

(2) between the lateral malleolus of the fibula and the talus

• permits dorsiflexion and plantar flexion of the foot.

Intertarsal joint

• subtalar joint (between talus and calcaneus) and calcaneocuboid joint (between calcaneus and cuboid) which are synovial (plane), and the talocalcaneonavicular joint (between talus, calcaneus, and navicular) which is synovial (saddle)

• permits inversion and eversion of the foot.

Tarsometatarsal joint

• between the three cuneiforms of the tarsus and the bases of the five metatarsal bones

• permits slight gliding.