3.

The Joints

Dr. Helen Gouse

Clinical Pharmacy & Nursing
Level 3- 2nd year
 Intended Learning Outcomes
• By the end of the session the students will be
able to:

• Classify joints according to structure & degree

of movements
• Identify the types of synovial joints
• Describe the movements of joints
 The JOINTS
Definition:- The joint is the site of meeting
of two or more bones together.
360 joints
 CLASSIFICATION OF JOINTS
• Classification by structure • Classification by function

A. Fibrous joints 1. Synarthroses

• Bones connected • Immovable joints
together by fibrous
tissue
B. Cartilaginous joints 2. Amphiarthroses
• Bones connected • Slightly movable joints
together by cartilage
C. Synovial joints 3. Diarthroses
• Bones separated by • Freely movable joints
cavities.
 Sutures
Fibrous Joints/
Synarthroses
A) Fibrous joints:
Bones are connected by dense
connective tissue :
• Sutures: Are found between bones of
the skull.
• Syndesmosis: are found between long
bones of the body, such as the fibula
and tibia in leg.
• Gomphosis: is a joint between the
root of a tooth and its socket in the
jaw
 CARTILAGINOUS JOINTS (AMPHIARTHROSES)
Joints are united either by hyaline cartilage or by
fibrocartilage. Two types- Primary & Secondary

B1) Primary Cartilaginous joints:

• Synchondrosis: Bones are connected by cartilage e.g.
epiphyseal plate of cartilage & the costal cartilages of
the rib connecting it to the sternum

Epiphyseal
cartilage
 B2. Secondary cartilaginous joints:
The bones are connected together by fibrocartilage
Examples:
• The intervertebral discs, Manibriosternal Joint, pubic
symphysis.
• These joints allow little movement.

Manibriosternal joint

Intervertebral disc
 C. Synovial/ Diarthroses
• They are freely movable joints
• They represent most of the joint of the
body
Following characters are seen:
• There is a joint cavity
• The articular surfaces are covered by
hyaline cartilage
• The bones are held together by a fibrous
capsule
• The capsule maybe thickened in certain
parts to form ligaments
• The capsule is lined by a synovial
membrane which secretes synovial fluid
 TYPES OF SYNOVIAL JOINTS
• Synovial joints may be classified according to the axes
of movement into:
• 1- Uniaxial: Ajoint that has one axis of rotation.
Examples:
• a. Hinge joint.
• b. Pivot joint.
• 2- Biaxial: Ajoints that has two axes of rotation.
Examples:
• a. Ellipsoid joint.
• b. Saddle joint.
• 3- Polyaxial: A joints that has more than two axes of
rotation.
Example: Ball-and-socket joint.
 NON-AXIAL (PLANE) JOINTS
• Shape of articular surfaces:
Flat articular surfaces
• Examples:
• 1. Acromioclavicular joint
• 2. Intercarpal and intertarsal
joints
• Movement:
• Allow sliding or gliding
movements Acromioclavicular
joint

intercarpal joint
 1. UNIAXIAL JOINTS
• A. Hinge Joint:
• Axis of movement:
Movement
around a transverse axis Humerus

• Examples: Elbow Joint radius

• Movement: Flexion &

Extension
ulna

Elbow joint
• B. Pivot Joint:
• Axis of movement: Dens

Movement around a vertical C1

axis
C2
• Examples: Atlanto-axial Joint
• Movement: Rotation Atlantoaxial joint
 2. BIAXIAL JOINTS
• A. Ellipsoid (condyloid) Joint:
• Examples: Wrist Joint
• Movement:
• Flexion & extension
• Adduction & abduction Wrist joint

• B. Saddle Joint:
• Examples: Carpometacarpal joint
of the thumb
• Movement:
• Flexion & extension
• Adduction & abduction
Carpometacarpal joint of
• Slight rotation the thumb
 3. MULTIAXIAL JOINTS
• Ball &Socket Joint:
• Shape of articular surfaces: Head
of one bone fitting a cup-shaped
concavity of another bone
• Examples:
• 1. Shoulder joint
• 2. Hip joint Shoulder joint

• Movement:
• Flexion & extension
Hip joint
• Adduction & abduction
• Circumduction
 Types of Synovial Joint
Type Variety Movement Example
Plane Plane Allow gliding or •Intercarpal J
sliding movement •Intertarsal
Acromioclavicular J.
Uniaxial Hinge Flexion & Extension •Elbow J
•Interphalengeal Js
Pivot Pronation & •Radioulnar Js
supination, Rotation •Atlantoaxial J

Biaxial Ellipsoid Flexion& extension •Metacarpophalengeal Js

Abduction & •Wrist J
adduction
Saddle Flexion & Extension •Carpo-meta
Carpal J of thumb
Multiaxi Ball & Circumduction •Shoulder J
al Socket •Hip J
 FACTORS AFFECTING JOINT STABILITY
1. Bony factors:
Shape, size, arrangement & fitting of articular
surface

2. Ligamentous factors: Thickness & elasticity of

capsule. Position and strength of ligaments
prevent excessive movement and torsions

3. Muscular factors: Strength & tone of surrounding

muscles for support and movement
 Clinical Anatomy
• Degenerative joint disease- osteoarthritis has
symptoms of stiffness, discomfort, and pain.
• Osteoarthritis is common in older people and
usually affects joints that support the weight
of their bodies (e.g., hips and knees).