Lec 5

Anatomy and Physiology

(Articulations)

MSc. Samar M. Shakir

Articulations or joints : is the connection made between bones in the
body which link the skeletal system into a functional whole.

Functions of the joints:

1) Allowing movements of body segments by providing the bones
with a mean of moving or rather of being moved.
2) Providing stability without interfering with the desired motion.

Figure 1: Joints.

Functional classification:
 Synarthroses: joints that have NO movement.

-Examples: sutures of the skull, gomphoses- teeth

 Amphiarthroses: partially movable joints.

-Examples: intervertebral disc and pubic symphysis

 Diarthroses: freely movable joints.

-The most common type of functional joint in the body.

-Examples: knee joint, shoulder joint, finger joints, ankle and wrist
joints, etc.

Structural Classification:
1. Fibrous joints (synarthroses): adjacent bones are joined by
collagen fibers. 3 kinds:
- sutures, gomphoses and syndesmoses.

2. Cartilaginous joints (amphiarthroses): two bones are joined by

cartilage. 2 kinds:

- synchondroses, and symphyses.

3. Synovial joints (Diarthroses): freely movable and most common

joint in the body.

Terminology:
 Concave : hollowed or rounded inward.

 Convex : curved or rounded outward.

 Congruent: The surfaces of the joint are equal.

 Incongruent : The surfaces of the joint not equal.

Joint Shapes:
• Ovoid : one surface is convex, other surface is concave.

• Sellar (saddle) : one surface is concave in one direction & convex

in the other, with the opposing surface convex & concave
respectively.

Synovial Joints (diarthroses):

 this type of joint is defined by the presence of a joint cavity filled
with fluid.
 Most joints of the body fall into this class.

Examples: knee joint, elbow joint, shoulder and hip joints and the
phalanges of hands and feet, etc.

Structures in a Synovial Joint:

1. articular capsule – external and internal

2. joint/synovial cavity – filled with synovial fluid

3. articular cartilage – Hyaline cartilage

 4. synovial fluid – viscous/ clear colorless fluid

5. ligaments – give the joint reinforcement and strength

6. Nerves – provide feelings of pain and stretch

7. Vessels - provide nutrients to joint

Figure 2 :Typical Synovial Joint.

Additional joint structures:

 Ligaments- join bones to bones
– Consists of dense regular connective tissue.
 Tendons- join muscles to bone
– Consists of dense regular connective tissue.
 Bursae- fibrous sac lined with synovial membrane and
containing synovial fluid
– Occurs between bones and tendons or muscles
 – Acts to decrease friction during movement

Accessory joint structures:

1. Fatty pads – cushioning.

2. Menisci – tough fibrocartilage.

3. Bursae -flattened fibrous sac lined by synovial membrane.

4. Tendon sheaths -fibrous tissue connecting a muscle to a bone.

Knee joint structures:

1. Articular capsule
2. Synovial membrane
3. Medial and lateral menisci
4. Suprapatellar, infrapatellar and prepatellar bursae
5. Anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments
6. Tibial and fibular collateral ligaments
7. Patellar capsule
8. Articular cartilage
9. Tendon of quadriceps femoris
Figure 3: Knee Joint Anterior view.

Figure 4:Knee Joint posterior view.

Types of Synovial Joints:
1. Plane (gliding) Joints

2. Hinge Joints

3. Pivot Joints

4. Condyloid Joints

5. Saddle Joints

6. Ball and Socket Joints