A short presentation about the different types of joints in the human body, based on Kieth L. Moor clinically Oriented Anatomy- 2012

1. Introduction to Clinically
Oriented Anatomy
‫ــــــ‬ Joints
By: Hasan Arafat

2. Joints are unions between two or more
bones or rigid parts of the skeleton
• They exhibit a variety of forms and
functions
• They are classified according to the
type of the material by which the
articulating bones are united
• They can be also classified according
to mobility

3. Three general types of joints are recognized:
fibrous, cartilaginous and synovial
• These types differ in the manner of
material by which each joint is made
• Freely movable synovial joints are the
most common type
• Most of our movements happen at
synovial joints
• However, the other types perform a
number of very important functions

4. Synovial joints
• In Synovial joints, the articulating are
united by a joint capsule
• The joint capsule is composed of an
outer fibrous layer lined by serous
synovial membrane
• The joint capsule encloses an articular
cavity

5. Synovial joints (continued)
• The joint cavity is a potential space that
contains a small amount of lubricating
synovial fluid
• The lubricating synovial fluid is
secreted by the synovial membrane
that lines the fibrous layer of the joint
capsule

6. Synovial joints (continued)
• Inside the capsule, articular cartilage
covers the articulating surfaces of the
bones
• All other internal surfaces are covered
by synovial membranes
• The periosteum investing the
participating bones external to the joint
blends with the fibrous layer of the
capsule

8. Fibrous joints
• The articulating bones are united b
fibrous tissue
• The amount of movement at this joint
depends on the length of the fibers
uniting the articulating surfaces
• The sutures of the cranium are
examples

10. Fibrous joints (continued)
• Fibrous joints can be subdivided into 2
subtypes
• A syndesmosis type unites the bones
with a sheet of fibrous tissue, either a
ligament or fibrous membrane
• This type is partially movable
• The interosseous membrane between
the radius and ulna is an example

11. Dentatoalveolar syndesmosis: a fibrous joint in
which a peg-like process fits into a socket
articulation between the root of the tooth and the
alveolar process of the jaw
• It’s also called gomphosis or socket
• Mobility at this joint indicates a
pathological state, affecting the
supporting tissue of the tooth
• So, it’s normally immobile
• However, microscopic movements here
is related to proprioception

13. Cartilaginous joints
• They are united by hyaline cartilage or
fibrocartilage
• Can be divided into 2 types
• These types are primary cartilaginous
joints, or synchondroses, and
secondary cartilaginous joints, or
symphyses

14. Cartilaginous joints (continued)
• In synchondroses, the bones are joined
by hyaline cartilage
• Hyaline cartilage permits slight bending
during early life
• Primary cartilaginous joints are usually
temporary unions
• E.g. the growth plate

15. Cartilaginous joints (continued)
• Symphyses are strong, slightly movable
joints
• They are united by fibrocartilage
• E.g. intervertebral discs
• They provide strength and shock
absorption as well as considerable
flexibility to the vertebral column

18. Features of Synovial joints
• They the most common type
• They provide free movement
• They are joints of locomotion
• Typical for limbs joints

19. Features of Synovial joints (cont)
• They are reinforced by accessory
ligaments
• Accessory ligaments are either
separate (extrinsic) or thickening
portions of joint capsule (intrinsic)

20. Features of Synovial joints (cont)
• They also contain fibrocartilaginous
articular discs
• They are also called meniscus
• They are found where articulating
surfaces are incongruous

22. Classification of Synovial joints
• Six major types of synovial joints are
classified according to the shape of
articulating surfaces and the type of
movement they permit
• These types are plane joints, hinge
joints, saddle joints, condyloid joints
and ball-and-socket joints

23. 1. Plane joints
• They are nonaxial
• They permit gliding or sliding
movements in the plane of the articular
surfaces
• The opposed surfaces are flat or almost
flat
• Movement is limited by their tight joint
capsules

24. 1. Plane joints (cont)
• They are numerous and are nearly
always small
• E.g. the acromioclavicular joint

26. 2. Hinge joints
• Permit flexion and extension only
• They are uniaxial
• Movements at these joints happen in
the sagittal plane around a transverse
axis
• Their joint capsules are thin

27. 2. Hinge joints (cont)
• The joint capsule lax anteriorly and
posteriorly where movement occures
• The bones are joined by strong laterally
placed collateral ligaments
• The elbow is an example

30. Saddle joints
• Permit abduction, adduction, flexion
and extension
• Biaxial joints, movements occur in
sagittal and frontal planes
• Circumduction is also available
• E.g. carpometacarpal joint at the thumb

31. Condyloid joints
• Permit flexion, extension, adduction
and abduction
• Biaxial Joints
• The movement at the sagittal is greater
than the frontal
• More restricted circumduction
• E.g. metacarbophalangeal joints

32. Ball and socket joints
• Multiple axes and planes
• Allow flexion, extension, abduction,
adduction, medial and lateral rotation
and circumduction
• Spheroidal surface of one bone moves
within the socket of another
• E.g. hip joint

33. Pivot joints
• Permit rotation around a central axis
• Uniaxial joints
• The rounded process of bone rotates
within a sleeve or ring
• E.g. the median atlantoaxial joint
• The atlas rotates around the dens of
the axis during rotation of the head

35. Synovial joints