• where 2 or more bones meet

• these locations need to balance their need for movement with protection

Fibrous Joints

• immobile and offer lots of protection

• composed of fibrous connective tissue

• found only in axial skeleton

• between plates of cranium, teeth, jaw

Cartilaginous Joints

• slightly moveable, offer some protection

• composed of cartilage - fibro and hyaline

• found in axial and appendicular

• between ribs and sternum, between vertebrae (fibro), symphysis pubis (fibro)

Synovial Joints

• freely moveable, no protection

• ligaments, tendons, muscles

• composed of articular cartilage

• found in the appendicular skeleton

• shoulder, elbow, wrists, finger, hip, knee, ankle, toes