Joint System

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 Index

Arthrology …………………………………………………………………………………...….……
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Joint classification ..………………………………………………………………………......………
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Fibrous Joints ........………………………………..………………………………………….………3
Cartilaginous Joints …………………………………………………………..………………………
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Synovial Joints ………………………………………………..……………...………………………3
Joint classification by movement …………………………………...…………….
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Movements ………………………………………………………………..……...
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Arthrology is the subdivision of anatomy that studies the joints. The term joint is given to the union
of two or more bones. Joints are classified in two ways: according to the structures that form them
and according to the degree of mobility they possess. The following table shows the classification
according to their structure and mobility:

Joint Classification According to structure According to degree of mobility

Fibrous Fibrous tissue Synarthrosis (immobile)

Cartilaginous Cartilaginous tissue Amphiarthrosis (slightly mobile)

Synovial Synovial capsule Diarthrosis (mobile)

As can be seen, the degree of mobility presented by the joint is a logical consequence of the tissue
that unites the bones that are in it.
Fibrous Joints
The articular surfaces of the bones that form it have a thin layer of fibrous tissue, they lack
movement and are often called sutures. There are several types:
• Harmonic (nasal bones): the edges of the articulating bones are serrated.
• Serrated (parietal): the surface of both bones is serrated and fit perfectly.
• Scaly (temporoparietal joint): their surfaces are cut at a bevel and fit perfectly.
• Gomphosis (teeth in dental sockets): a peg enters a cavity.
Cartilaginous Joints
This type of joint is joined by a cartilage, which can be hyaline, and is called synchondrosis, as in
the case of the growth cartilage that joins the epiphysis and diaphysis of long bones, or symphysis
when it has a cartilage disk with fibrous tissue, for example, the union of the coxal bones (pubis)
and intervertebral disks, which join one vertebra to another.
Synovial Joints
This type of joint is characterized by a membrane forming a "bag" that covers the joint structures. It
contains the following elements:
1. Articular capsule or bag covers the joint and at the same time forms a cavity, called the
synovial or joint cavity.
2. Synovial membrane: covers the synovial cavity and produces a fluid that serves as a
lubricant, called synovial fluid.
3. Articular surfaces: layers of cartilage that cover the surfaces of the bones involved in the
joint.
4. Ligaments or fibrous tissue: band-shaped; they protect the joint and help to reinforce it.

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 5. Menisci: cartilaginous structures shaped like cushions that are found in some synovial joints
and contribute to their strength and stability. They are characteristic of the knee joint.

According to the degree of mobility, they are classified as follows:

• Synarthrosis: immobile joints, for example, sutures that, as mentioned, are joined by fibrous
tissue.
• Amphiarthrosis: slightly mobile joints, as they are joined by special cartilaginous elements such as
disks, small cushions, etc. For example, syndesmosis and symphysis.
• Diarthrosis: synovial joints fall into this classification and are characterized by their great
mobility. There are many synovial joints in the human body, and they receive different names
according to the shape of the articular surfaces. For example, the joint of the carpal bones, which
slide, is called arthrodial; a spherical surface that adapts to a concave cavity, such as the head of the
humerus with the glenoid cavity.
Shoulder joint: these have great mobility, although that does not mean that they perform all types of
movements, these are known as enarthrosis; others are characterized because the bone has a convex
surface and the bone connected to it has a concave surface - such as the joint of the temporals with
the mandible, these are called condylar, etcetera.
There are many types of synovial joints, since perfection in human body movements is essential for
doing some activities; just think of the routines that a gymnast performs, and you will understand
the great variety of movements that joints require.

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Joints perform several movements according to the shape of the articular surfaces; the most well-
known are flexion, extension, pronation, and supination.

Extension – straightening a joint. This occurs when the angle of a joint increases, for example the
elbow when throwing a shot put. The take-off knee extends when a high jumper takes off (the other
knee is flexed).

Pronation and supination - Movements that occur at the proximal radioulnar joint. The head of

the radius is discoid and fits with the radial neck within the circular annular ligament, that attaches
the proximal radius to the ulna. The wheel like rotation of the head of the radius enables supination
(palm facing upwards), and pronation (palm facing downwards). This movement makes it possible
to grab objects and correctly place them.

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Flexion – bending a joint. This occurs when the angle of a joint decreases. For example, the elbow
flexes when performing a biceps curl. The knee flexes in preparation for kicking a ball.

Abduction – movement away from the midline of the body. This occurs at the hip and shoulder
joints during a jumping jack movement.
Adduction – movement towards the midline of the body. This occurs at the hip and shoulder,
returning the arms and legs back to their original position from a jumping jack movement or when
swimming breaststroke.

Rotation – this is where the limb turns round its long axis, like using a screwdriver. This occurs in
the hip joint in golf while performing a drive shot or the shoulder joint when playing a topspin
forehand in tennis.

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Circumduction – this is where the limb moves in a circle. This occurs at the shoulder joint during
an overarm tennis serve or cricket bowl.

Medial rotation or internal rotation. lock out your elbow and rotate your shoulder so that your
thumb starts pointing towards your midline you medially or internally rotated the shoulder. And
lateral rotation or external rotation. now on the flip side the thumb is heading back out so we're
doing lateral or external rotation.

Dorsiflexion is the action of raising the foot upwards towards the shin.

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Plantarflexion is the movement of the foot in a downward motion away from the body.

Inversion is placing only your lateral outside part of the feet on the ground.

Eversion is placing only your lateral inside part of the feet on the ground.

Elevation and depression of the scapula. Elevation refers to movement in a superior direction.
Depression refers to movement in an inferior direction.

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Protraction is a movement that results in a portion of the body being moved forward on a plane
parallel to the ground.

Retraction is returning the scapulae from protracted shoulders in front of us to the resting
anatomical position of the scapulae.