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Anatomy & Physiology: Joints and Movements

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Terms in this set (29)

  • What are the two main classifications of joints?
    Structural (fibrous, cartilaginous, synovial) based on material and cavity presence, and Functional (synarthroses, amphiarthroses, diarthroses) based on movement allowed.
  • What defines fibrous joints and their types?
    Bones joined by dense fibrous connective tissue with no joint cavity. Types: sutures, syndesmoses, and gomphoses.
  • What are sutures and their function?
    Rigid, interlocking joints of the skull with short connective tissue fibers allowing growth in youth; become immovable synostoses in middle age.
  • Describe syndesmoses joints.
    Bones connected by ligaments with variable fiber length, allowing limited to moderate movement, e.g., inferior tibiofibular joint.
  • What are gomphoses?
    Peg-in-socket fibrous joints; only example is teeth in alveolar sockets held by periodontal ligament.
  • What characterizes cartilaginous joints?
    Bones united by cartilage, no joint cavity, and limited movement. Types: synchondroses and symphyses.
  • Define synchondroses joints with examples.
    Bones united by hyaline cartilage, mostly immovable (synarthrotic). Examples: epiphyseal plates, 1st rib to sternum.
  • What are symphyses joints?
    Bones united by fibrocartilage with hyaline cartilage on surfaces; strong, slightly movable (amphiarthrotic). Examples: intervertebral discs, pubic symphysis.
  • What are the six general features of synovial joints?
    Articular cartilage, joint cavity, articular capsule (fibrous layer and synovial membrane), synovial fluid, reinforcing ligaments, nerves and blood vessels.
  • What is the function of synovial fluid?
    Lubricates and nourishes articular cartilage; contains phagocytic cells to remove debris.
  • Name the three types of reinforcing ligaments in synovial joints.
    Capsular (thickened fibrous layer), extracapsular (outside capsule), and intracapsular (inside capsule, covered by synovial membrane).
  • What are bursae and tendon sheaths?
    Bursae are fluid-filled sacs reducing friction between structures; tendon sheaths are elongated bursae wrapping tendons under friction.
  • What factors influence synovial joint stability?
    Shape of articular surface (minor), number/location of ligaments (limited), and muscle tone keeping tendons taut (most important).
  • Define the three functional classifications of joints by movement.
    Synarthroses: immovable, Amphiarthroses: slightly movable, Diarthroses: freely movable joints.
  • What are the types of movements allowed by synovial joints?
    Gliding, angular (flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, circumduction), rotation, and special movements like supination/pronation.
  • Describe gliding movements with examples.
    One flat bone surface slips over another. Examples: intercarpal, intertarsal joints, vertebral articular processes.
  • What is the difference between flexion, extension, and hyperextension?
    Flexion decreases joint angle, extension increases it, hyperextension moves beyond anatomical position.
  • Explain abduction, adduction, and circumduction.
    Abduction moves limb away from midline, adduction toward midline, circumduction is a circular movement combining flexion, abduction, extension, and adduction.
  • What is rotation in joint movement?
    Turning of a bone around its long axis; medial rotation toward midline, lateral rotation away from midline.
  • Define supination and pronation.
    Supination: palms face anteriorly, radius and ulna parallel. Pronation: palms face posteriorly, radius crosses over ulna.
  • What are dorsiflexion and plantar flexion?
    Dorsiflexion: bending foot toward shin. Plantar flexion: pointing toes downward.
  • Describe inversion and eversion of the foot.
    Inversion: sole faces medially. Eversion: sole faces laterally.
  • What are protraction and retraction movements?
    Protraction: moving a body part forward (e.g., mandible jutting out). Retraction: moving it backward.
  • Explain elevation and depression movements.
    Elevation: lifting a body part superiorly (e.g., shrugging shoulders). Depression: lowering a body part.
  • What is opposition in hand movement?
    Movement of the thumb to touch fingertips, enabling grasping.
  • List the six types of synovial joints.
    Plane, hinge, pivot, condylar, saddle, and ball-and-socket joints.
  • What are the main features of the knee joint?
    Largest, most complex joint; includes femoropatellar (plane) and tibiofemoral (hinge) joints; stabilized by ligaments and menisci.
  • Describe the shoulder (glenohumeral) joint's stability and mobility.
    Most freely moving joint; ball-and-socket with shallow glenoid cavity; stability mainly from rotator cuff tendons and ligaments.
  • What ligaments reinforce the hip joint?
    Iliofemoral, pubofemoral, ischiofemoral ligaments, and ligament of head of femur; deep socket provides greatest stability.