Introduction to Articulations
Joints: Movement Articulations
& Disease Body movement occurs at joints
(articulations) where 2 bones
connect
Dr. Gregory Karapetian
Joint Structure
Lecture 9
Determines direction and distance
of movement (range of motion)
Joint strength decreases as
mobility increases
Joint Movement Classification of Joints
Functional Classifications Functional Classifications
Synarthrosis (immovable joint)
Fibrous or cartilaginous connections Synarthroses (immovable joints)
May fuse over time Are very strong
Edges of bones may touch or interlock
Amphiarthrosis (slightly movable joint)
Fibrous or cartilaginous connections Four types of synarthrotic joints:
1. Suture
Diarthrosis (freely movable joint) 2. Gomphosis
Also called “Synovial joints”
3. Synchondrosis
Subdivided by type of motion
4. Synostosis
Classification of Joints Classification of Joints
Synarthrotic Joints (immovable)
Suture Amphiarthrotic Joints (slightly movable)
Bones interlocked
Bound by dense fibrous connective tissue More movable than synarthrosis
Found only in skull
Gomphosis Stronger than freely movable joint
Fibrous connection (periodontal ligament)
Binds teeth to sockets Two types of amphiarthroses
Synchondrosis Syndesmosis:
Is a rigid cartilaginous bridge between 2 bones:
Epiphyseal cartilage of long bones Bones connected by ligaments
Between vertebrosternal ribs and sternum
Synostosis Symphysis:
Fused bones, immovable:
Bones separated by fibrous cartilage
Frontal suture of skull
Epiphyseal lines of long bones
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Classification of Joints Classification of Joints
Syndesmosis: Symphysis:
Posterior tibia and fibula
Pubic symphysis
Classification of Joints Components of Synovial Joints
Diarthrotic Joints (freely movable) Articular cartilages
Known as: Synovial joints Pad articulating surfaces within articular capsules:
Wrist Thumb Prevent bones from touching
At ends of long bones
Are within articular capsules Smooth surfaces
Lined with synovial membrane lubricated by synovial
Shoulder
fluid:
Reduce friction
Elbow
Components of Synovial Joints Components of Synovial Joints
Synovial fluid Accessory structures
Cartilages:
Contains slippery proteoglycans secreted by
Cushion the joint:
fibroblasts
Fibrous cartilage pad called
Functions of synovial fluid: a meniscus (articular disc)
Lubrication Fat pads:
Nutrient distribution Superficial to the joint capsule
Shock absorption Protect articular cartilages
Ligaments:
Support, strengthen joints
Sprain: ligaments with torn collagen fibers
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Components of Synovial Joints Components of Synovial Joints
Accessory structures (continued…)
Tendons:
Attach to muscles around joint
Help support joint
Bursae:
Pockets of synovial fluid
Cushion areas where tendons or ligaments rub Bursitis of olecranon
(elbow)
Components of Synovial Joints Synovial Joints
Bunion
Inflammation
Sesmoid bones of toes shift
Components of Synovial Joints Synovial Joint Injuries
Factors that stabilize Synovial Joints:
Prevent injury by limiting range of motion:
Collagen fibers of the joint capsule (ligaments)
Shapes of the articulating surfaces may prevent movements
Other bones, muscles, or fat pads
Tendons of articulating bones
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Synovial Joint Injuries Joint Movement
Injuries Types of Dynamic Motion
Linear motion (gliding)
Dislocation (luxation)
Angular motion
Articulating surfaces forced
out of position Rotation
Damages articular cartilage, Planes (Axes) of Dynamic Motion
ligaments, joint capsule
Monaxial (1 axis)
Subluxation
Biaxial (2 axes)
A partial dislocation
Triaxial (3 axes)
Simple Model of Articular Motion Simple Model of Articular Motion
Types of Movements at Synovial Types of Movements at Synovial
Joints Joints
Linear Motion: Angular Motion:
Flexion
Also called a Gliding Joint
Anterior–posterior plane
Two surfaces slide past each other: Reduces angle between elements
Between articulating carpal bones
Extension
Between articulating tarsal bones Anterior–posterior plane
Between clavicle and sternum Increases angle between elements
Hyperextension
Extension past anatomical position
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Angular Movements Angular Movements
Angular Motion:
Abduction
Angular motion
Frontal plane
Moves away from
longitudinal axis
Adduction
Angular motion
Frontal plane
Moves toward the
longitudinal axis
Angular Movements Angular Movements
Angular Motion:
Circumduction
Circular motion
without rotation
Types of Movement at Synovial Types of Movement at Synovial
Joints Joints
Rotation
Direction of rotation from anatomical position
Relative to longitudinal axis of body
May be left or right rotation
Medial rotation (inward rotation):
Rotates toward axis
Lateral rotation (outward rotation):
Rotates away from axis
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Types of Movement at Synovial
Joints Special Movements (1 of 6)
Rotation (cont…)
Pronation: Inversion:
Rotates forearm Twists sole of foot medially
Radius over ulna
Eversion:
Supination:
Twists sole of foot laterally
Forearm in anatomical position
Special Movements (2 of 6) Special Movements (3 of 6)
Dorsiflexion: Opposition:
Flexion at ankle (lifting toes) Thumb movement toward
fingers or palm (grasping)
Plantar flexion:
Extension at ankle (pointing toes)
Special Movements (4 of 6) Special Movements (5 of 6)
Protraction: Depression:
Moves anteriorly Moves in inferior direction
In the horizontal plane (pushing (down)
forward) Elevation:
Moves in superior
Retraction: direction (up)
Opposite of protraction
Moving anteriorly (pulling back)
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Special Movements (6 of 6) Types of Synovial Joints
Classification of synovial joints by shapes of the
articulating surfaces
Lateral flexion: 1. Gliding
Bends vertebral column 2. Hinge
from side to side
3. Pivot
4. Ellipsoid
5. Saddle
6. Ball-and-socket
Types of Synovial Joints (1 of 6) Types of Synovial Joints (2 of 6)
Gliding Joints: Hinge Joints:
Flattened or slightly curved faces Angular motion in a single plane (monaxial)
Limited motion (nonaxial)
Types of Synovial Joints (3 of 6) Types of Synovial Joints (4 of 6)
Pivot Joints: Ellipsoid Joints:
Rotation only (monaxial) Oval articular face within a depression
Motion in two planes (biaxial)
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Types of Synovial Joints (5 of 6) Types of Synovial Joints (6 of 6)
Saddle Joints: Ball-and-Socket Joints:
Straddled (biaxial) Round articular face in a depression (triaxial)
The Shoulder Joint The Shoulder Joint
Also called the glenohumeral joint Shoulder Ligaments
Glenohumeral
Coracohumeral
Allows greater range of motion than Coracoacromial
Coracoclavicular
any other joint Acromioclavicular
Least stable Shoulder Muscles (aka rotator cuff)
Supraspinatus
Supported by skeletal muscles, Infraspinatus
Teres minor
tendons, ligaments Subscapularis
Shoulder Bursae
Ball-and-socket diarthrosis Subacromial
Subcoracoid
Subdeltoid
Head of humerus and glenoid cavity of scapula Subscapular
The Elbow Joint
A stable and complex hinge joint
2 Articulations of the Elbow
Humero-ulnar joint
Largest articulation
Trochlea of humerus and trochlear
notch of ulna
Limited movement
Humero-radial joint
Smaller articulation
Capitulum of humerus and head of
radius
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The Hip Joint
Also called Coxal joint
Strong ball-and-socket diarthrosis
Wide range of motion
Structures of the Hip Joint
Head of femur fits into the socket of
acetabulum
Which is extended by fibrocartilaginous
acetabular labrum
Ligaments of the Hip Joint
Pubofemoral
Iliofemoral
Ischiofemoral
Transverse acetabular
Ligamentum teres
The Hip Joint The Knee Joint
A complicated hinge joint
Transfers weight from femur to
tibia
3 Articulations of the knee joint
2 femur–tibia articulations
At medial and lateral condyles
1 between patella and patellar
surface of femur
The Knee Joint The Knee Joint
Menisci of the Knee 8 Ligaments of the Knee Joint
Medial and lateral menisci
Fibrous cartilage pads
Patellar ligament (anterior)
At femur–tibia articulations 2 popliteal ligaments (posterior)
Cushion and stabilize joint
Give lateral support Anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments
(inside joint capsule)
Tibial collateral ligament – MCL (medial)
Locking knees
Standing with legs straight: Fibular collateral ligament – LCL (lateral)
“Locks” knees by jamming lateral meniscus between tibia and femur
Anterolateral ligament
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The Knee Joint The Knee Joint
The Knee Joint The Knee Joint
Anterolateral ligament (ALL)
Discovered in 2013 by Belgian surgeons
ACL replacement graft harvested from tissue in patellar region
Surgeon removes tissue and (small piece of) “bone block” at each end
ACL knee brace Graft is pulled through two tunnels drilled in the femur and tibia, secures
graft with screws or staples
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Joint Pathology Joint Pathology
Sprain Rheumatism
Partial or complete tearing of the ligaments and the A pain and stiffness of skeletal and muscular systems
capsule of a joint Arthritis
Note: “Strain” is the tearing of muscle, not the joint All forms of rheumatism that damage articular
cartilages of synovial joints
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Chronic autoimmune disease
Pain, swelling, stiffness, loss of function in joints
Healthy immune system protects the body by attacking
foreign bacteria and viruses…
… But an autoimmune disease causes the body to
mistakenly attack healthy tissue
Joint Pathology Joint Pathology
Osteoarthritis
Caused by wear and tear of joint surfaces, or
genetic factors affecting collagen formation
Generally in people over age 60
Rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid nodules
Joint Pathology
Gouty Arthritis
Occurs when crystals (uric acid or Ca2+ salts)
form within synovial fluid
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