Chapter 5:

Biomechanics of
Human Skeletal
Articulation

Picture from Ihmoran Flickr

Objectives

Explain the functions of articular, fibro cartilage and

articular connective tissue.
Define joint stability and explain factors influencing its.
Define joint flexibility and Explain the advantages and
disadvantages of different techniques for increasing or
maintaining joint flexibility.
Describe the biomechanical contributions to common
joint injuries and pathologies.
 Classification of Joints based on Functions

Immovable Slightly Moveable Freely Movable

(Diarthroses or
(Synarthroses) (Amphiarthroses)
Synovial)
Absorb shock but permit
little or no movement

Sutures – Skulls Synchondroses – The articulating

Syndesmoses - Tibiofibular Sternocostal joint, bone surfaces are
joint epiphyseal plates covered with
articular cartilage,
Symphyses –
an articular capsule
Vertebral joints and
and synovial
the pubic symphysis
membrane.
Synovial membrane
lining the interior
articular capsule
secretes a lubricant
known as synovial
fluid.
SUTURES

The only example in human body, the Skull.

Irregular grooved articulating bone sheets
mate closely and are tightly connected by
fibers.
SYNDESMOSES

Dense fibrous tissue binds

the bone together
AMPHIARTHROSES - SYMPHYSIS

Thin plates of hyaline cartilage separate a

disc of fibrocartilage from the bones.
SYNCHONDROSES

Articulating bones are held

together by a thin layer of
hyaline cartilage
DIARTHROSES OR SYNOVIAL

Articular capsule consist of double

layered membrane Synovial
membrane (stratum) and Fibrous
membrane.
Synovial fluid -a clear, slightly
yellow liquid that provides lubrication
inside the articular capsule.
Associated bursae - small capsules
filled with synovial fluid that cushion
the structures they separate
Synovial Joint (DIARTHROSES)

(a) Gliding, Athrodial (b)Sellar (c)Ginglymus

(d) Screw, Trochoid (e)Spherodial (f) Condyloid, Ovoid
Articular or Hyaline Cartilage

Articular cartilage is
a white connective
tissue
It covers the ends of
bones.
 FUNCTIONS OF ARTICULAR CARTILAGE

 It provides a protective lubricants that

minimizes frictions and mechanical wear.
 It spreads loads over a wide area, thereby
reducing contact stress.
 It has no blood supply and nerves.
 Anisotropic, it deforms instantaneously to a
low or moderate load. If rapidly loaded, it will
become stiffer and deforms over a longer
period.
ARTICULAR CARTILAGE

 It is 1 to 5 mm thick, depending on the stress

and the incongruity of the joint surfaces.
 The force distributions depend on the cartilage
thickness. Ankle and elbow, thin; hip and knee,
thick.
 It has a very low coefficient of frictions, range
from 0.01 to 0.04, ice at 0º is about 0.1. Almost
frictionless, allows gliding.
Functions of Articular Fibrocartilage

Lateral Transverse
meniscus ligament

Medial
meniscus

Posterior cruciate Anterior cruciate

ligament ligament

Superior view

It is a fibrocartilaginous disc or partial discs known

as menisci that intervene between articulating
bones.
ARTICULAR FIBROCARTILAGE

 Examples are the intervertebral disc and the

knee joint.
 It is where both tensile strength and the
ability to withstand high pressure are
necessary.
Functions of articular fibrocartilage

 Distributing loads over joint surfaces

 Protecting the joint periphery
 Lubricating the joint
 Absorbing shock at the joint
 Improving the fit of articulations
 Limiting slip between articulating bones
Articular Connective Tissues

Tendons - connect muscles to bones

Ligaments - connect bones to other bones

Do not have ability to contract like muscle tissue but

slightly extensible, elastic.
Like bone it responds to mechanical stress by
hypertrophying and atrophying.
Therefore, regular exercises, increase size and strength of
both tendon and ligaments.
 What is joint stability?

Ability of a joint to resist abnormal

displacement (dislocation) of the
articulating bones.
What factors effect joint stability?

Orientation or joint position

 Stability is maximal when joints are
in the close-packed position
(maximum contact surface between
the articulating bone).
 Loosed-packed position - any joint
orientation other than the closed
packed position.