Foundation Strand - Structure & Function - Joints

Joints of the human body

How would you define a joint?

• The articulation of two or more bones

• Where human movement takes place

What are the three types of human joint?

1. Fibrous

   • Immovable (fused) joint

   • No movement

   • For example: Joints of the cranium

2. Cartilaginous

   • Slightly moveable joint

   • Some movement

   • For example: Joints of ribs & sternum

3. Synovial

   • Freely moveable joint

   • Lots of movement

   • For example: The elbow (Humeroulnar)

Which ones do you think sports therapists are more interested in, and why?

• Synovial

  • Lots of movement = more chance of dysfunction and injury

  • Their shared properties are also prone to injury

  • More prone to degenerative conditions such as osteoarthritis

  • ‘Kinesiology’ means movement!

Synovial Joints

What are the five common properties that all synovial joints share?

1. Stabilised by ligaments

   • A connective tissue that attaches bone to bone

   • Predominantly made up of Type I Collagen

   • Provide joint stability

   • For example: Anterior Cruciate Ligament

2. Lined with hyaline cartilage

   • Smooth elastic tissue that protects and lines the ends of bone

   • Predominantly made up of Type II Collagen

   • For example: The meniscus of the knee (fibrocartilage), Articular cartilage (hyaline cartilage)

3. Surrounded by a fibrous capsule

4. Lubricated by synovial fluid

5. Regulated by a synovial membrane

What are the six different classifications of synovial joints?

• All of the synovial joints in the body can be separated into six classifications (categories) based on their shape and structure:

1. Ball and socket

2. Hinge

3. Saddle

4. Pivot

5. Condyloid

6. Plane