Introduction to Biomechanics

The human skeleton

Bone components
Osteonal Bone
Cortical Bone
Joints
• Fibrous
• Fibrous joints connect bones without allowing any movement. The
bones of your skull and pelvis are held together by fibrous joints.
The union of the spinous processes and vertebrae are fibrous joints.
• Cartilaginous
• Cartilaginous joints are joints in which the bones are attached by
cartilage. These joints allow for only a little movment, such as in the
spine or ribs.
• Synovial
• Synovial joints allow for much more movement than cartilaginous
joints. Cavaties between bones in synovial joints are filled with
synovial fluid. This fluid helps lubricate and protect the bones. Bursa
sacks contain* the synovial fluid.
Synovial Joints
• Synovial joints allow for
much more movement
than cartilaginous joints.
Cavaties between bones in
synovial joints are filled
with synovial fluid. This
fluid helps lubricate and
protect the bones. Bursa
sacks contain* the synovial
fluid.
Ball and socket Joints

• A ball and socket

joint allows for radial
movment in almost
any direction. They
are found in the hips
and shoulders.
 Ellipsoid Joints
• Similar to a ball
and socket joint --
allow the same
type of movement
to a lesser
magnitude. The
wrist is an ellipsoid
joint.
Pivot Joints
• Pivot joints allow
rotation around an axis.
The neck and forearms
have pivot joints. In the
neck the occipital bone
spins over the top of the
axis. In the forearms the
radius and ulna twist
around each other.
Saddle Joints

• A saddle joint
allows movement
back and forth and
up and down, but
does not allow for
rotation like a ball
and socket joint.
Gliding

• In a gliding or
plane joint bones
slide past each
other. Metacarpal
and metatarsal
joints are gliding
joints
The knee
A bad joint?!?

• 30-50% of all sports injuries

• 0.2% of the general population per year
for knee ligament problems
• ACL and MCL are 90% of all sport injuries
• Women are 2-8 times greater risk
Long bone
Long bone cont’d
Flexion and extension are movements
that occur in the sagittal plane. They
refer to increasing and decreasing the
angle between two body parts:

Flexion refers to a movement that

decreases the angle between two body
parts. Flexion at the elbow is decreasing
the angle between the ulna and the
humerus. When the knee flexes, the
ankle moves closer to the buttock, and
the angle between the femur and tibia
gets smaller.

Extension refers to a movement that

increases the angle between two body
parts. Extension at the elbow is
increasing the angle between the ulna
and the humerus. Extension of the knee
straightens the lower limb.
Abduction refers to movement away from
the midline of the body. For example,
when you lift your arms out to the side,
you are performing an abduction
movement.

Adduction, on the other hand, refers to

movement towards the midline of the
body. An example of this would be
bringing your arms back down to your
sides after performing an abduction
movement.

Supination and pronation are
terms used to describe the up or
down orientation of your hand,
arm, or foot. When your palm or
forearm faces up, it’s supinated.
When your palm or forearm faces
down, it’s pronated.
Flexion is the movement of a joint that increases
the angle between the joint and the body part.
Movement of a body part to the side is called
lateral flexion.
This type of movement is commonly associated
with the neck and spine. For example, when you
move your head toward one of your shoulders or
bend your body sideways, you’re performing a
lateral flexion.
Summary

• Human body is a very complex system

• Bones are very strong mechanical members
• Self healing
• Can be very slippery