Joints and Movement

  • Classes of Joints:

    • Fibrous Joints: No joint cavity and little to no movement.

      • Specific Joints:

        • Sutures: Interdigitate opposing skull bones, may ossify in adults (synostosis).

          • Fontanels: Flexible areas in infants allowing growth.

    • Synovial Joints: Complex joints with a joint cavity containing synovial fluid.

      • Characteristics: Allow a wide range of movement and have accessory structures like bursae (reduce friction) and ligaments (stabilize joints).

      • Types of Synovial Joints:

        1. Plane: Uniaxial (e.g., intervertebral joints).

        2. Saddle: Biaxial (e.g., carpometacarpal joint of the thumb).

        3. Hinge: Uniaxial (e.g., elbow, knee).

        4. Pivot: Uniaxial rotation (e.g., atlantoaxial joint).

        5. Ball-and-socket: Multiaxial (e.g., shoulder, hip).

        6. Ellipsoid: Biaxial limited movement (e.g., radiocarpal joint).

    • Movement Types: Gliding, angular (flexion/extension), and circular movements such as rotation and circumduction.

    • Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ): Combination of plane and ellipsoid with fibrocartilage disk allowing various movements such as depression/elevation.

      • Clinical Impact: TMJ Disorders affect jaw function.

    • Shoulder Joint (Glenohumeral): Ball-and-socket joint supported by rotator cuff muscles, allowing extensive movement but reduced stability.

    • Knee Injuries: Common from lateral blows, can damage ligaments and menisci, leading to functional impairment.

    • Ankle Injury Case Study: Examines common injuries and their implications.

    • Representative Joint Disorders:

      • Arthritis: Includes osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, leading to inflammation and joint damage.

      • Bursitis: Inflammation of bursa from repetitive use.

      • Tendinitis: Inflammation of tendons from overuse.