The Joints

A&P-I
Unit-V

Muhammad Iqbal
Lecturer
Khyber Medical University
 Objectives
By the end of this session, the students will be able to:
• Define the term joint and other key terms.
• List three types of joints i.e.
Fibrous , Cartilaginous, and Synovial
• Describe the common characteristic features of a synovial
joint.
• List the types of synovial joints.
• Discuss different types of movements at synovial joints.
 Terms
• Joint: is a point of contact between two bones,
between bone and cartilage, or between bone
and teeth.
• Joint is also known as articulation or arthrosis.
• Arthrology: The scientific study of joints.
 Classification of Joints
• Structural Classification: is based on their anatomical
characteristics.
• Functional Classification: is based on the type of
movement.
• The structural classification of joints is based on two
criteria:
1) the presence or absence of a space between the
joints, called synovial cavity, and
2) the type of connective tissue that binds the bones
together.
 Classification of Joints cont….

Structural Classification includes:

 Fibrous Joints:
• No synovial cavity.
• Bones are held together by dense irregular connective
tissue rich in collagen fibers.
 Cartilaginous Joints:
• No synovial cavity.
• Bones are held together by cartilage.
 Synovial Joints:
• They have synovial cavity.
• Bones are united by a capsule of dense irregular connective
tissue and often accessory ligaments.
 Functional Classification

• Relates to the degree of movement they permit.

They are:
 Synarthrosis (syn= together): Immovable joints.
 Amphiarthrosis (amphi= on both sides): Slightly
movable joints.
 Diarhrosis: (=movable joints): Freely movable
joints.
Immovable Joints
(synarthrosis)

suture

pubis symphisis
Slightly Movable Joint
(amphiarthrosis)
(diarthrosis)- freely moveable

pelvis

ligaments

femur
 joint
capsule pelvis

hyaline
cartilage synovial
cavity
femur
 Structure of Synovial Joints
Distinguishing Characteristics of synovial joints are:
• Synovial Cavity: A space between the articulating
bones.
• All synovial joints are functionally diarthroses.
• Articular cartilage: Covers the tips of the articulating
bones
• Articular capsule: Surrounds synovial joint and
encloses the synovial cavity. It unites the articulating
bones. It is composed of two layers—the outer
fibrous membrane and an inner synovial membrane.
The fibrous membrane is flexible and has great
tensile strength to allow free movement and prevent
 Structure of Synovial Joints Cont…
• Synovial Fluid (oval= egg): named for its
appearance like egg white. It is Secreted by
synovial membrane.
• It consists of albumin, Hyaluronic acid, and
phagocytic cells.
• It functions as lubricating, absorbing shocks,
supplying oxygen and nutrients to the
chondrocytes of the articular cartilage.
 Types of Synovial Joints

Six types of Synovial Joints are:

1. Pivote Joint:
• The rounded or pointed surface of one bone
articulates with a ring formed by another
bone.
• Pivote is monoaxial joint as it allows motion
around a single axis.
• Examples: atlanto-axial joint, radioalnar joints.
 Types of Synovial Joints

2. Hinge Joints:
• In a hinge joint, the convex surface of one bone fits
into the concave surface of another bone.
• They are monoaxial
• Examples: Knee, Elbow, and interphalangeal joints.
 Types of Synovial Joints cont…
3. Gliding or Planar Joints:
• The articulating bones are flat or slightly curved.
• They are biaxial as they allow back-and-forth and side-
to-side movement.
• Examples: Intercarpal, intertarsal, sternoclavicular,
acromioclavicular, and vertebrocostal joints.

4. Condyloid Joints:
• It is formed by the convex oval-shaped projection of one
bone and the oval-shaped depression of another bone.
• Condyle joints are biaxial.
• Example: Metacarpophalageal joints
 Types of Synovial Joints cont…

5. Saddle Joints:
• One bone of the articular surface is saddle-shaped,
and the other one fits into the saddle.
• Saddle joint is a modified condyloid in which the
movement is somewhat freer.
• It is triaxial.
• Example: Carpometacarpal joint b/w the trapezium
of the carpus and metacarpal of the thumb.
 Types of Synovial Joints cont…

6. Ball and Socket Joints:

• It consists of ball-like surface of one bone
fitting into a cuplike depression of another
bone.
• It is triaxial.
• Examples: shoulder and hip joints.
 Types of Movements at Synovial Joints

Types of synovial joint movements are Four:

• Gliding: is a simple movement of relatively flat
bone surfaces back-and-forth and side-to-side.
• Example: Intercarpal and intertarsal joints.
• Angular movements: are concerned with an
increase or a decrease in the angle between the
articulating bones. Such major movements are
flexion, lateral flexion, extension, hyperextension,
abduction, adduction, rotation, and circumduction.
Types of Movements at Synovial Joints cont…

• Rotation: Movement of a bone around its

longitudinal axis. In the limb, it may be medial or
lateral.
• Special Movements: Occur only at specific or
certain joints. They include depression, elevation,
protraction, retraction (at TMJ), inversion,
eversion, dorsiflexion, planter flexion, supination,
pronation, and opposition (pinching).
 Synovial Joint Movement
Extension

Rotation
Flexion

Adduction
Abduction