Anatomy and Physiology

Synarthrosis: Immovable joint

Amphiarthrosis: Slightly movable joint

Diarthrosis: Freely movable

Synostosis: Body joint; complete fusion of bones across a structure line

Syndesmosis: Greater distance between the articulating bones and more fibrous connective tissue

Symphysis: Cartilaginous joint connected by a disc of fibrocartilage

Synchondrosis: Cartilaginous joint in which the connecting material is hyaline cartilage

Gomphosis: Cone-shaped peg fits into a socket; dento-alveolar joint

Fibrous: No synovial cavity; held together by fibrous connective tissue rich in collagen fibers

Cartilaginous: No synovial cavity; held together by cartilage

Synovial: Has a synovial cavity; united by articular cartilage; often includes ligaments

Periodontal ligaments: Hold teeth in jaw socket

Sutures: Thin layer of dense, fibrous connective tissue uniting only the bones of the skull

Epiphyseal plate: Layer of cartilage present only during the growth period and vanishes soon after puberty in long bones

Epiphyseal line: An epiphyseal plate that has become ossified

Typical Synovial Joint Structure: Two bony surfaces that are encompassed by a fibrous capsule with a synovial lining

Accessory Synovial Joint Structures: Articular discs or menisci

Ligaments: A short band of tough, flexible fibrous connective tissue which connects two bones or cartilages or holds together a joint

Tendons: Connect muscle to bone; provide mechanical support; may limit range of motion

Aponeurosis: Flat sheets of connective tissue

Bursa: Small, fluid-filled sac that lies near bony prominences and joints

Menisci: C-Shaped pad of cartilage in the knee that acts as a shock absorber

Articular Cartilage Characteristics: Shock absorber and reduces friction

Synovial Fluid Characteristics: Reduces friction and lubricates joint

Types of Synovial Joints: Hinge, pivot, saddle, ball and socket, gliding, ellipsoid

Flexion: Decreasing the angle between articulating bones

Extension: Increasing the angle between articulating bones

Hyperextension: Extension past neutral

Abduction: Movement of a bone away from the midline

Adduction: Movement of a bone toward the midline

Medial Rotation: Internal/Inward

Lateral Rotation: External/Outward

Eversion: Turning soles of the feet away from midline

Inversion: Turning soles of the feet toward the midline

Plantarflexion: Standing on toes

Dorsiflexion: Standing on heels

Supination: Palms turned upward

Pronation: Palms turned downward

Elevation: Upward movement of a body part

Depression: Downward movement of a body part

Lateral Flexion: Side Bending

Circumduction: A series of movements with no rotation

Opposition: Thumb touching fingers

Reposition: Thumb returns to anatomical position

Protraction: Movement away from the midline

Retraction: Movement toward the midline