Articulations

Prof. Mike Kalogiannis

July 15, 2017

 An Introduction to Articulations

Articulations: Body movement occurs at joints (articulations)

where two bones connect
Classifications by function and Structure
Functional Classifications
Synarthrosis (immovable joint)
Amphiarthrosis (slightly movable joint)
Diarthrosis (freely movable joint)
Structural Classifications
Bony
Fibrous
Cartilaginous
Synovial
Classification of Joints
Synarthroses (Immovable Joints)
Are very strong
Edges of bones may touch or interlock
Four types of synarthrotic joints
1. Suture
Bones interlocked, are bound by dense fibrous connective
tissue, are found only in skull
2. Gomphosis
Fibrous connection (periodontal ligament), Binds teeth to
sockets
3. Synchondrosis: rigid cartilaginous bridge between two bones
Epiphyseal cartilage of long bones, between vertebrosternal
ribs and sternum
4. Synostosis: Fused bones, immovable
Metopic suture of skull; Epiphyseal lines of long bones
Classification of Joints
Amphiarthroses
More movable than synarthrosis
Stronger than freely movable joint
Two types of amphiarthroses
1. Syndesmosis: Bones connected by ligaments
2. Symphysis: Bones separated by fibrocartilage
Synovial Joints (Diarthroses)
Also called movable joints
At ends of long bones
Within articular capsules
Lined with synovial membrane (think knees)
Contains synovial fluid (proteoglycan rich solution for lubrication,
shock absorption, and nutrient distribution)
Articular Cartilages
Pad articulating surfaces within articular capsules
Prevent bones from touching
Smooth surfaces lubricated by synovial fluid
Reduce friction
 Synovial Joints
The greater the range of motion, the weaker the joint
Accessory Structures
Cartilages (cushion)
Fibrocartilage pad called a meniscus (or articular disc; plural, menisci)
Fat Pads (protection)
Superficial to the joint capsule
Ligaments (support and strength)
Sprain ligaments with torn collagen fibers
Tendons (support, and leverage)
Attach to muscles around joint
Bursae (a pouch)
Pockets of synovial fluid
Cushion areas where tendons or ligaments rub
 Quadriceps tendon
Bursa
Joint capsule Femur Patella
Synovial Articular cartilage
membrane
Meniscus Fat pad
Patellar ligament
Intracapsular Joint cavity
ligament
Tibia
Meniscus

Knee joint, sagittal section

 Movements
Angular Movement
Flexion
Anteriorposterior plane
Reduces angle between elements
Extension
Anteriorposterior plane
Increases angle between elements
Hyperextension
Extension past anatomical position
Abduction
Frontal plane
Moves away from longitudinal axis
Adduction
Frontal plane
Moves toward longitudinal axis
Circumduction
Circular motion without rotation

Selective flexion
 Abduction

Abduction

Adduction
Adduction

Abduction

Abduction Adduction

Adduction

Abduction/adduction
Adduction Abduction

Adduction/abduction
Circumduction
 Movements
Types of Movement at Synovial
Joints
Rotation
Direction of rotation from
anatomical position
Relative to longitudinal axis of
body
Left or right rotation
Medial rotation (inward
rotation)
Rotates toward axis
Lateral rotation (outward
rotation)
Rotates away from axis
Movements
Types of Movements at Synovial Joints
Rotation
Pronation: Rotates forearm, radius over ulna
Supination: Forearm in anatomical position
 Movements
Special Movements
Inversion
Twists sole of foot medially
Eversion
Twists sole of foot laterally
Dorsiflexion
Flexion at ankle (lifting toes)
Plantar flexion
Extension at ankle (pointing toes)
 Movements
Special Movements
Opposition: Thumb movement toward fingers or palm (grasping)
Reposition: Opposite of opposition
Protraction: Moves anteriorly in the horizontal plane (pushing
forward)
Retraction: Opposite of protraction, moving anteriorly (pulling back)
 Movements
Special Movements
Elevation: Moves in superior direction (up)
Depression: Moves in inferior direction (down)
Lateral flexion: Bends vertebral column from side to side
Movements
Movements
 Intervertebral Articulations
Intervertebral Articulations
C2 to L5 spinal vertebrae articulate:
At inferior and superior articular processes (gliding joints)
Between adjacent vertebral bodies (symphyseal joints)
Intervertebral Discs
Pads of fibrocartilage
Separate vertebral bodies
Anulus fibrosus
Tough outer layer
Attaches disc to vertebrae
Nucleus pulposus
Elastic, gelatinous core
Absorbs shocks
 Superior
articular Intervertebral
facet Disc
Vertebral end plate
Intervertebral
Anulus fibrosus
foramen
Ligamentum Nucleus pulposus
flavum

Spinal cord
Posterior
longitudinal
ligament
Spinal nerve
Interspinous
ligament

Supraspinous
ligament

Anterior
longitudinal
ligament
 Intervertebral Articulations

Damage to Intervertebral Discs

Slipped disc
Bulge in anulus fibrosus
Invades vertebral canal
Herniated disc
Nucleus pulposus breaks through anulus fibrosus
Presses on spinal cord or nerves
 The Shoulder Joint
The Shoulder Joint (glenohumeral joint)
Allows more motion than any other joint (least stable)
Ball-and-socket diarthrosis
Between head of humerus and glenoid cavity of scapula
Socket of the Shoulder Joint
Glenoid labrum
Deepens socket of glenoid cavity
Fibrocartilage lining
Extends past the bone
Processes of the Shoulder Joint
Acromion (clavicle) and coracoid process (scapula)
Project laterally, superior to the humerus
Help stabilize the joint
 Acromioclavicular Coracoclavicular
ligament ligaments
Tendon of
supraspinatus Clavicle
muscle
Acromion

Articular Coraco-acromial
capsule ligament
Subdeltoid Coracoid
bursa Scapula process
Synovial Articular
membrane cartilages
Joint cavity
Humerus
Glenoid labrum
Articular
capsule

Anterior view, frontal section

Acromioclavicular
ligament Clavicle
Coraco-acromial Coracoclavicular
ligament ligaments
Tendon of
supraspinatus Tendon of biceps
muscle brachii muscle
Coracohumeral
Acromion
ligament (cut)
Coracoid
process
Subacromial Subcoracoid
bursa bursa
Tendon of Subscapular
infraspinatus bursa
muscle Subscapularis
Teres minor muscle
muscle
Glenohumeral
Articular ligaments
capsule
Glenoid cavity
Scapula
Glenoid labrum

Lateral view of pectoral girdle

 The Elbow Joint

The Elbow Joint, a stable hinge joint

Articulations involving humerus, radius, and ulna
Articulations of the Elbow
Humero-ulnar joint (largest articulation)
Trochlea of humerus and trochlear notch of ulna
Limited movement
Articulations of the Elbow
Humeroradial joint (smaller articulation)
Capitulum of humerus and head of radius
Supporting Structures of the Elbow
Biceps brachii muscle
Attached to radial tuberosity
Controls elbow motion
Elbow Ligaments
Radial collateral
Annular
Ulnar collateral
Humerus Radial
collateral Radial Antebrachial
ligament tuberosity interosseous
membrane

Radius

Ulna

Capitulum Annular ligament (covering

head and neck of radius)
Lateral view
 Tendon of biceps Annular Humerus
brachii muscle ligament
Articular
Antebrachial capsule
interosseous
membrane Medial
epicondyle

Radius Ulnar
collateral
ligament
Ulna Olecranon
of ulna

Medial view
 The Hip Joint

The Hip Joint (coxal joint)

Strong ball-and-socket diarthrosis
Wide range of motion
Structures of the Hip Joint
Head of femur fits into it
Socket of acetabulum
Which is extended by fibrocartilaginous acetabular labrum
 Iliofemoral ligament

Fibrocartilage pad
Acetabular labrum

Ligament of the
Acetabulum femoral head

Transverse acetabular
ligament (spanning
acetabular notch)

Fat pad
in acetabular
fossa
A lateral view with the femur removed
Pubofemoral
ligament
Greater
trochanter
Iliofemoral
ligament

Lesser
trochanter

An anterior view
 Iliofemoral
ligament

Ischiofemoral
ligament

Greater
trochanter

Lesser
trochanter
Ischial tuberosity

A posterior view, showing addi-

tional ligaments that add strength
to the capsule
 The Knee Joint
The Knee Joint (complicated hinge joint)
Transfers weight from femur to tibia
Articulations of the knee joint
Two femurtibia articulations
At medial and lateral condyles
One between patella and patellar surface of femur
The Articular Capsule and Joint Cavity
Medial and lateral menisci
Fibrocartilage pads
At femurtibia articulations
Cushion and stabilize joint
Give lateral support
Quadriceps
tendon

Patella
Joint
Patellar capsule
retinaculae
Tibial
collateral
ligament
Fibular
collateral Patellar
ligament ligament

Tibia

Anterior view, superficial layer

 Femur

Joint Plantaris
capsule muscle
Gastrocnemius Gastrocnemius
muscle, muscle,
medial head lateral head
Bursa
Fibular
collateral
Tibial ligament
collateral
ligament Cut tendon
of biceps
femoris
muscle
Popliteal
ligaments
Popliteus
muscle Tibia

Fibula

Posterior view, superficial layer

 Patellar
surface

Fibular
Posterior cruciate
collateral
ligament
ligament
Lateral
condyle Medial condyle

Lateral Tibial collateral

meniscus ligament
Cut Medial meniscus
tendon
Anterior cruciate
Tibia ligament

Fibula

Deep anterior view, flexed

 Femur

Posterior cruciate
ligament Fibular collateral
ligament
Medial condyle Lateral condyle

Tibial collateral Lateral

ligament meniscus
Medial meniscus Cut tendon

Anterior cruciate
ligament

Fibula

Tibia

Deep posterior view, extended

 Effects of Aging on Articulations
Degenerative Changes
Rheumatism
A pain and stiffness of skeletal and muscular systems
Arthritis
All forms of rheumatism that damage articular cartilages of
synovial joints
Osteoarthritis
Caused by wear and tear of joint surfaces, or genetic factors
affecting collagen formation
Generally in people over age 60
Rheumatoid Arthritis
An inflammatory condition
Caused by infection, allergy, or autoimmune disease
Involves the immune system
Gouty Arthritis
Occurs when crystals (uric acid or calcium salts)
Form within synovial fluid
Due to metabolic disorders
 Effects of Aging on Articulations

Joint Immobilization
Reduces flow of synovial fluid
Can cause arthritis symptoms
Treated by continuous passive motion or CPM (therapy)
Bones and Aging
Bone mass decreases
Bones weaken
Increases risk of hip fracture, hip dislocation, or pelvic fracture