Describe the Different Classification of Joints

The human body has many bones that work in different ways that are there to allow certain functions. A joint is where two or more bones come together. The joints hold the bones together and allow for movement of the skeleton.

There are three main types of joint in the human body, these are Fibrous joints (immoveable), Cartilaginous joints (partially moveable) and Synovial joints (freely moveable). I shall now explain each of these in a lot more detail using examples and providing extra bits of information regarding each one.

Fibrous Joints

Also known as fixed joints, these allow the least range of movement in the human body compared to the other two. This type of joint is held together by only a ligament and has a very strong connection. There is absolutely no movement at these types of joints; this is because movement isnt desired at this point. One good example of a Fibrous joint is the bones in between the cranium. When a baby is born, the cranium is divided into two parts; this is because the Fibrous joint hasnt fused together yet to form the protective layer of the cranium. This is why new born babys heads are soft and must be handled with care due to this lack of protection. If there was movement there in later life, the brain protected by the cranium would be exposed and it would be open for damage, this would cause a lot of problems such as brain damage.

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Fibrous joints are also termed non-synovial joints as they have no joint cavity, connective tissue or cartilage uniting the structure. They do however hold joints together with fibrous articulations, (www.flexible-text.co.uk).

Another example of a Fibrous joint would be the teeth.

Cartilaginous Joints

These joints occur where the connection between the articulating bones is made up of cartilage for example between vertebrae in the spine. (www.teachpe.com). Cartilaginous joints are connected by cartilage. Cartilaginous joints allow more movement between bones than a fibrous joint but less than the highly mobile synovial joint. One example would be vertebrae in the vertebral column.

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Synovial Joints

Also known as Freely movable joints, these are by far the most common classification of joint within the human body. They are highly moveable and all have a synovial capsule surrounding the entire joint, a synovial membrane (the inner layer of the capsule) which secretes synovial fluid (a lubricating liquid) and cartilage which pads the ends of the articulating bones. I will now identify and explain the main components of a joint capsule.

Cartilage This is flexible connective tissue that acts as a cushion inside the joints to that stops the bones rubbing against each other. Cartilage also acts as a shock absorber and helps avoid joint pain. Synovial Fluid This is a viscous fluid found in the cavities of the capsule. It has a glue-like consistency and its primary role is to reduce friction between the cartilage of synovial joints during movement. Ligament This is simply what connects bone to bone, this has to be present at any type of joint.

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Synovial Membrane This is soft tissue that lines the non-cartilaginous surfaces within joints. Its primary role is to reduce friction within the joint.

Synovial Bursa This is a small sac filled with fluid. It provides a cushion between bones, tendons and muscles around a joint. This helps to reduce friction between bones and allows movement.

The Different Synovial Joints within the Human Body

Ball and Socket Joint y y y Found in the Shoulder and Hip Allows Flexion, Extension, Abduction, Adduction, Rotation, Circumduction Allows the most movement out of all the joints in the body

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Saddle Joint

y y

Found in the metacarpals of the thumb Allows flexion, extension, adduction, abduction and circumduction

Pivot Joint

y y

Found in the radioulnar joint Allows only rotation

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Hinge Joint

y y

Found in the elbow and knee Allows flexion and extension

Condyloid Joint

y y

Found in the wrist Allows flexion, extension, adduction, abduction and circumduction

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Gliding Joint

y y

Found in the carpals, metacarpals and phalanges Allows Gliding movement

Different Body Parts with Synovial Joints

Body Part

Type of Joint

Articulating Bones

Muscles

Movement Patterns

Sport

Wrist

Condyloid

Carpals, Radius, Ulna

Wrist Flexors, Extensors

Flexion, Extension, Adduction, Abduction, Circumduction Supination, Pronation

Radioulnar

Pivot

Radius, Ulna,

Supinator, Pronator Teres

Elbow

Hinge

Radius, Ulna, Humerus

Biceps Brachii, Triceps Brachii,

Flexion, Extension

When bowling a ball in cricket. Wrist flexes and extends to create the spin on the ball Hitting the ball in Tennis with both actions, twisting your hand to create a more accurate shot Preparing for a swing in Golf, bicep contracts to pull the club up, then extends with force to execute the swing

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Shoulder

Ball and Socket

Humerus, Clavicle, Scapula

Anterior, Medial, Posterior Deltoid muscles, Supraspinatus, Infraspinatus, Subscapularis, Teres Minor muscles

Flexion, Extension, Abduction, Adduction, Rotation, Circumduction

Spine

Cartilaginous

Vertebrae Column

Rectus abdominis, Erector Spinae, External and Internal Obliques, Transverse Abdominis, Multifidus

Flexion, Extension, Lateral flexion, Rotation

Hip

Ball and Socket

Knee

Hinge

Pupis, Illiopsoas, Ishium, Illium Gluteus Femur Maximus, Adductor Longus, Brevis, Magnus, Gluteus medius, minimus, Patella, Rectus Femoris, Femur, Vastus Medialis, Tibia, Fibula Vastus Lateralis, Vastus Intermedius, Biceps Femoris, Semi Membranosus, Semi tendinosus

Flexion, Extension, Adduction, Abduction, Rotation

When throwing a ball in baseball, movement created when flexing and extending at the shoulder to prepare and execute the throw Throwing a javelin, when twisting your trunk to provide power to the throw, using external obliques to twist and the the rest of the muscles to provide synergists to support the body during the execution When you kick a football, extension of the hip when pulling leg back to execute the movement Flexion at the knee joint when the hamstring contracts to pull the leg back towards the glutes. Then extension of the knee to execute a free kick in football

Flexion, Extension

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Ankle

Condyloid

Tibia, Fibula, Tarsals, Metatarsals, phalanges

Gastrocenemius, Plantarflexion, Contracting the Soleus, Tibialis dorsiflexion Gastrocenemius Anterior and soleus to lift onto your toes when shooting in netball.

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