General Concepts of Joints

Vocabulary review of arthrology including types and subtypes of joints, mobility levels, and anatomical terminology.

Arthrology

The science concerned with the study of anatomy, function, dysfunction and treatment of joints or articulations.

Arthro-

A prefix referring to joints, as seen in terms like arthrogram, arthroscopy, or arthritis.

Simple joint

A joint consisting of bone and one other bone.

Composite joint

A joint consisting of a bone and more than one other bone.

Fibrous joints

A major category of immobile joints where bones are united by dense connective tissues.

Cartilaginous joints

A major category of semi mobile joints where bones are united by cartilage.

Synovial joints

A major category of mobile joints characterized by a fluid-filled cavity intervening between the bones.

Sutures

Fibrous joints in the skull that connect the skull's bones together.

Gomphosis

A specialized fibrous joint that anchors the root(s) of teeth to its alveoli in the maxilla, incisor, or mandible bones.

Syndesmosis

A fibrous tissue that holds two or more bones or cartilages using ligaments or a strong membrane, such as interosseous membranes or ligaments.

Synchondrosis

A cartilaginous joint where the bones or cartilages are joined by hyaline cartilage, such as the physis (epiphysial cartilage or growth plate).

Symphysis

A fibrocartilaginous joint between two bones, with examples including the pelvic symphysis and intervertebral discs.

Hinge joint

A type of synovial joint also known as a ginglymus.

Pivot joint

A type of synovial joint also known as articulatio trochoidea.

Saddle joint

A type of synovial joint also known as articulatio sellaris.

Spheroidal joint

A type of synovial joint also known as a ball-and-socket joint.

Joint capsule

A fibrous structure continuous with the periosteum of joined bones that keeps bones or cartilage together and permits free mobility in synovial joints.