Chapters 8 & 11: Joints and Nervous System II Vocabulary

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering joint classifications, movements, structures, disorders, and the structure and function of the central and peripheral nervous systems from Chapters 8 and 11.

Articulation

A functional connection between bones; also known as a joint.

Synarthrotic Joint

A functional classification of a joint that is completely immovable.

Amphiarthrotic Joint

A functional classification of a joint that is slightly movable.

Diarthrotic Joint

A functional classification of a joint that is freely movable.

Fibrous Joint

A joint held together by dense connective tissue.

Cartilaginous Joint

A joint held together by cartilage.

Synovial Joint

A complex joint featuring a joint cavity, articular cartilage, joint capsule, and inner membrane that secretes synovial fluid; all are diarthrotic.

Syndesmosis

An amphiarthrotic fibrous joint held together by an interosseous membrane or ligament, such as between the tibia and fibula.

Suture

An immovable (synarthrotic) fibrous joint connected by a sutural ligament between skull bones.

Gomphosis

An immovable (synarthrotic) fibrous joint consisting of a tooth in a socket held by a periodontal ligament.

Synchondrosis

An immovable (synarthrotic) cartilaginous joint composed of hyaline cartilage, such as an epiphyseal plate or the 1st rib-manubrium joint.

Symphysis

A slightly movable (amphiarthrotic) cartilaginous joint connected by a fibrocartilage pad, such as the pubic symphysis or intervertebral discs.

Synostosis

A completely fused bone joint.

Costochondritis

Inflammation of the costal cartilages that causes chest pain and tenderness.

Bursa

A fluid-filled sac that cushions and reduces friction in synovial joints.

Ball-and-Socket Joint

A multiaxial synovial joint allowing a wide range of motion including rotation and circumduction, such as the shoulder and hip joints.

Condylar Joint

A biaxial synovial joint, also known as an ellipsoidal joint, found in the wrist, ankle, and metacarpophalangeal joints.

Plane Joint

A nonaxial synovial joint, also called a gliding joint, found in the wrist, ankle, and between the femur and patella.

Hinge Joint

A uniaxial synovial joint allowing movement in one plane, such as the elbow and phalanges.

Pivot Joint

A uniaxial synovial joint allowing rotation around an axis, such as between C1 and C2.

Saddle Joint

A biaxial synovial joint, such as the thumb joint.

Abduction

Joint movement that moves a body part away from the midline.

Adduction

Joint movement that moves a body part toward the midline.

Dorsiflexion

Ankle movement that lifts the toes upward.

Plantar Flexion

Ankle movement that points the toes downward.

Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ)

A modified hinge joint between the mandibular condyle and mandibular fossa of the temporal bone; the only movable joint in the skull.

Iliofemoral Ligament

The strongest ligament in the body, located at the hip joint.

Knee Joint

The largest and most complex synovial joint, composed of a modified hinge between the femur and tibia and a plane joint between the femur and patella.

Dislocation

A joint injury where articulating bone surfaces are displaced.

Sprain

A connective tissue tear at a joint without bone dislocation.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

An autoimmune disorder causing painful joint inflammation.

Osteoarthritis

A degenerative joint disease that is the most common form of arthritis.

Gout

An arthritic condition caused by uric acid crystal buildup in joints, frequently affecting the big toe.

Arthroscopy

A surgical procedure used to diagnose and treat joint injuries in the shoulder, elbow, and knee.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

The brain and spinal cord; functions as the body's control center.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

The cranial and spinal nerves that connect the central nervous system to the rest of the body.

Meninges

The three protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord: dura mater, arachnoid mater, and pia mater.

Dura Mater

The tough, outermost layer of the meninges.

Arachnoid Mater

The web-like middle layer of the meninges.

Pia Mater

The delicate, innermost layer of the meninges directly covering the brain and spinal cord.

Subarachnoid Space

The space between the arachnoid mater and pia mater that contains cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

Choroid Plexus

Vascular structures within the brain ventricles that produce cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

Arachnoid Granulations

Structures that reabsorb cerebrospinal fluid back into the blood.

Gyri

The ridges located on the outer surface of the cerebrum.

Sulci

Shallow grooves on the cerebral cortex surface.

Fissures

Deep grooves on the cerebral cortex surface.

Wernicke Area

A specialized cortical region involved in language understanding.

Broca Area

A specialized cortical region controlling motor speech production.

Long-Term Potentiation (LTP)

The persistent strengthening of synapses that underlies long-term memory formation.

Basal Nuclei

Subcortical brain nuclei that assist in producing smooth voluntary movements.

Parkinson Disease

A movement disorder caused by the loss of dopamine-producing neurons in the substantia nigra.

Thalamus

A region of the diencephalon that serves as a sensory relay center for all sensory input except smell.

Hypothalamus

A diencephalon region that acts as the primary regulator of body homeostasis.

Limbic System

A functional brain system involved in emotional processing and survival drives.

Reticular Formation

A brainstem network that regulates wakefulness and filters sensory input.

Cerebellum

A brain region responsible for coordinating skeletal muscle movement, maintaining posture, and preserving balance.

Arbor Vitae

The treelike pattern of white matter inside the cerebellum.

Vermis

The central structure connecting the two hemispheres of the cerebellum.

Ascending Tracts

Spinal cord nerve tracts that conduct sensory signals upward to the brain.

Descending Tracts

Spinal cord nerve tracts that carry motor signals downward from the brain.

Endoneurium

The innermost layer of connective tissue surrounding an individual axon.

Perineurium

The connective tissue layer surrounding a fascicle of nerve fibers.

Epineurium

The outermost connective tissue layer surrounding an entire nerve.

Dermatome

A specific area of skin supplied by sensory fibers of a single spinal nerve.

Sympathetic Nervous System

The autonomic division responsible for 'fight or flight' responses, originating from spinal cord segments $T1-L2$.

Parasympathetic Nervous System

The autonomic division responsible for 'rest and digest' activities, originating from cranial nerves III, VII, IX, X, and spinal segments $S2-S4$.