UNIT: Locomotion and Movement

HUMAN SKELETAL SYSTEM

The human skeleton is composed of a set of bones that form the internal framework of the body. The main functions of the skeletal system are:
1. Provides protection to internal organs.
2. Supports the body.
3. Provides leverage to the muscles thus, helps in locomotion.
4. Act as a site for the production of blood
cells
5. Acts as a store house of minerals, particularly calcium 6. Growth and development
DIFFERENT TYPES OF JOINTS
The regions in the body where bones are joined with each other are called joints. According to the mobility they are classified as fibrous or fixed
or immovable joints, cartilaginous or slightly movable joints and synovial or freely movable joints.

1. Fibrous or Immovable Joints:

In this type of joints the free ends of articulating bones fuse with each other with the help of white fibrous tissue forming sutures. They are
called fixed or immovable joints as they do not allow any movement between the bones.
*For example, the joints between the bones of skull, and the joints between the teeth and the jaw bones.

2. Cartilaginous or Partially Movable Joints:

In this type there is a part of white fibrocartilage between the ends of the articulating bones. It allows little movement.
*For example, the public symphysis and the joints between the vertebrae.

3. Synovial or Freely Movable Joints:

These joints allows a considerable degree of free movement.
*For example, the joint between the shoulder bones.
STRUCTURE OF A SYNOVIAL JOINT
In this type of joint, the ends of articulating bones are capped with a layer of hyaline cartilage forming the articular surface. There is a space
between the articular surfaces of the bones. This space is called synovial cavity. The synovial cavity is lined with a synovial membrane. This
membrane is composed of secretory epithelial cells which secrete the synovial fluid, which fills the synovial cavity. It lubricates the joints and
reduces friction between the bones.
TYPES OF SYNOVIAL JOINTS
The synovial joints are of five types:
Ball and socket joint, hinge joint, pivot joint, saddle joint, and gliding joint.

(1) Ball and socket joint:

It is the most freely movable of all joints. In this type of joint, one of the articulating bones develops a cavity (socket). A ball-like structure of
the other bone fits into this socket. Example: Shoulder joint (between glenoid cavity of the pectoral girdle and head of the humerus) and hip
joint (between acetabulum of pelvic girdle and head of the femur).

(2) Hinge Joint:

It allows movement primarily in one plane. In this joint one of the articulating bones forms a condyle-like projection at its end which fits into
the concave surface of another bone. Example: Elbow joint, knee joint, and the joints between the bones of phalanges.

(3) Pivot joint:

In this joint, the rounded or pointed end of a bone fits like a peg into a concavity in another bone. This type of joint allows rotation in one plane.
Example: The joint between the atlas and axis and the joint between the radius and ulna.

(4) Saddle joint:

In this joint, the projection of one bone fits in saddle-shaped depression in another bone. It is an imperfect type of ball and socket joint because
neither the ball nor the socket is perfect. Example: The joint between the carpal and metacarpal of thumb of the hand.

(5) Gliding joint:

It is the simplest of the synovial joints. The articular surfaces of two bones are usually flat. Thus, the aruculating bones can only move back-
and-forth and side-to-side movements. Example: The joints between the carpals and between the tarsals.
Human Skeletal System
Joints
Shoulder Joint (Ball and Socket Joint)
The Joint between Ulna and Radius (Hinge Joint)
The Joint between Radius and Ulna (Pivot Joint)
The Joint Between Carpal and Metacarpal of the Thumb (Saddle Joint)
The Joint between two Vertebrae (Gliding Joints