Classification of joints

Structural classification :
Presence of
Type of conn
synovial cavity tissue that
hold the bones
Fibrous joints

No

Fibrous

Cartilaginous
joints

No

Cartilage

Synovial joints Yes

Dense irregular
conn tissue

Functional classification :
Movability
Synarthrosis

Immovable

Amphiarthrosi Slightly
s
movable
Diarthrosis
Freely movable

FIBROUS JOINTS ( little or no movement)

Dense fibrous conn ++
tissue
Suture composed of a thin
layer of dense
fibrous conn tissue
Syndes amount of dense
mosis fibrous conn tissue
is greater than in a
suture

Gomph Dense fibrous

osis
tissue : periodontal
ligament

Funct
Example
classificati
on
unite the Synarthros Coronal suture
bones of is
between frontal
skull
and parietal
bones
distance Amphiarthr Distal articulation
btwn the osis
between tibia
articulati
and fibula.
ng bones
is >>
than in a
suture
ConeSynarthros Between root of
shaped
is
teeth and the
peg fits
sockets of
into a
alveolar

CARTILAGINOUS JOINTS ( little or no movement)

Connected
cartilage
Syncho Hyaline cartilage
ndrosis

Examples

Funct
classif
y
Epiphyseal plate that Synart
connects epiphysis
hrosis
and diaphysis

Symph Ends of
Pubic symphysis
ysis
articulating bones Between bodies of
are covered with vertebrae
hyaline cartilage
but the bones are
connected by
fibrocartilage

Amphi
arthro
sis

 SYNOVIAL JOINTS
Synovial cavity between the articulating bones
freely movable (diarthroses)
Bones at synovial joints are covered by articular
cartilage (hyaline cartilage) reduces friction
between bones during movements and helps to
absorb shock.
Articular capsule surrounds a synovial joints,
encloses the synovial cavity and unites the
articulating bones. It is composed of two layers:
Outer fibrous capsule that attaches to the
periosteum of articulating bones.
Inner synovial membrane that secretes synovial
fluid
Synovial fluid reducing friction by lubricating the
joint, supply nutrients to and removing metabolic
wastes from the chondrocytes within articular
cartilage.

There are 6 subtypes :

Planar
joints
Hinge
joints
Pivot
joints

Characteristics

Example

Movement

Flat or slightly curved

Intercarpal ,
intertarsal
Knee, elbow, ankle

Gliding movements

Convex surface fit to the

concave surface
Rounded surface of a bone
articulates with a ring formed
partly by another bone and
partly by a ligament
Condyloid Convex oval-shaped projection
joints
of one bone fits into the
concave oval-shaped
depression of another bone
Saddle
Articular surface of one bone
joints
is sadde shaped and the
surface of the other bone fits
to it. Like a rider sitting on a
horse
Ball-and- Ball-like surface of one bone
socket
fits into a cup-like depression
joints
of another bone

Atlantoaxial joints
and radioulnar
joints

Flexion and
extension
Rotation around its
longitudinal axis

Between wrist and

metacarpophalang
eal

Flexion, extension,
abduction,
adduction,
circumduction
Thumb : between
Flexion, extension,
trapezium and and abduction,
metacarpal
adduction,
circumduction
Shoulder and hip
joints

Flexion, extension,
abduction,
adduction,
circumduction and
rotation