This document discusses the classification and applied aspects of joints. It begins with an introduction to joints, their functions, and definitions. It then discusses the structural and functional classifications of joints. The structural classification includes fibrous, cartilaginous, and synovial joints. The functional classification includes synarthroses, amphiarthroses, and diarthroses. It further elaborates on the different types of joints like hinge, ball and socket, and saddle joints. Finally, it discusses some applied aspects like dislocations, sprains, and arthritis.

1. Classification and Applied Aspects of
Joints
Dr Mathew Joseph MBBS, MD(AIIMS), BCC(Palliative Medicine)
Assistant Professor
Department of Anatomy
Al Azhar Medical College & Super Speciality Hospital
Thodupuzha

2. Contents:
1. Introduction
2. Classification of Joints
3. Applied Aspects of Joints
4. References
5. MCQs

3. Introduction
• Arthrology / Syndesmology : Study of joints
• Synonyms: Articulatio (Latin)
Arthron , Syndesmo (Greek)
• Definition: Joints are the regions of the skeleton
where two or more bones meet and articulate.
• Function: Facilitate growth / Allow movements
between bones.

4. ** Several classifications of joints have been
made considering the range of movements
possible, type of intervening soft tissues; there is
no satisfactory single classification.
** Here we consider the Structural and
Functional classification of joints according to
Gray’s Anatomy 41st International edition.

5. Classification of joints
Functional Classification: (based on degree of mobility):
1.Synarthroses: Immovable joints (cranial sutures in
adults, primary cartilaginous joints in
growing children).
2.Amphiarthroses: Slightly movable joints (joints
between adjacent laminae of vertebrae).
3.Diarthroses: Freely movable joints (synovial joints).

6. Functional classification (cont….)
Synarthroses Amphiarthroses Diarthroses

7. Structural classification: (Based on type of intervening
connecting tissue )
1.Fibrous: Bones are joined by fibrous connective
tissue that allows little movement.
2.Cartilaginous: Bones are joined by cartilage (primary
or secondary). Some allows restricted movement.
3. Synovial: These are freely moving joints in which the
articulating bony surfaces are covered in smooth
articular cartilage and separated by a film of viscous
synovial fluid that serves as a lubricant.

8. Structural classification (cont….)
Fibrous Cartilaginous Synovial

9. Fibrous joints
1. Sutures: Articular surfaces are connected by a thin
layer of connective tissue. They are confined to the skull
and are immovable.
2. Syndesmoses: Bones are connected by a considerably
greater amount of connective tissue than in sutures in
the form of interosseous ligaments and membranes.
Slight movement is permitted. e.g. interosseous
membranes, inferior tibiofibular joints
3. Gomphosis (peg and socket joint): Articulation of teeth
in alveolar sockets of mandible and maxilla by
periodontal ligament.

10. Fibrous joints (cont….)
Sutures Syndesmoses Gomphoses

11. Sutures
• Plane
• Serrate
• Denticulate
• Squamous
• Schindylesis

12. Cartilaginous joints
1.Primary (Synchondroses)
Hyaline cartilage.
Bone growth.
Synostosis.
Temporary.
2.Secondary (Symphyses)
Median Plane.

13. Synovial joints
• Most evolved and freely movable joints
• Have a joint cavity filled with synovial fluid
• Often termed as diarthrodial joints
• Components:
1. Fibrous capsule
2. Synovial membrane
3. Ligaments
4. Articular cartilage
5. Articular disc or meniscus
6. Bursae
7. Fat pads (Haversian glands)

14. Classification of Synovial joints
According to shape of articular surfaces.
According to plane of movements.
1. Plane 1.Uniaxial
2. Hinge 2.Biaxial
3. Pivot 3. Multiaxial
4. Condylar
5. Ellipsoid
6. Saddle
7. Ball and socket

15. Plane joints
• Articular surfaces are
nearly flat.
• Allow pure translations or
sliding between bones.
•
Intercarpal joints

16. Hinge joints (Ginglymus)
• Articular surfaces are hinge
shaped.
• Movements takes place in a
single stationary axis and is
restricted to one plane.
elbow,knee, interphalangeal
joints.

17. Pivot joints (Trochoid joints)
• Rounded end of osteous pivot fits
into the concavity of another bone.
• The rounded part is surrounded by
a ligament (osteoligamentous ring).
• Limited rotation around a central
axis.(Uniaxial)
• e.g. superior radio-ulnar and
atlanto-axial joints.

18. Condylar joints
• Round articular surface of
one bone fits into a socket-
type articular surface of
another bone.
• Permit movements in two
directions.
• e.g. knee and temporo-
mandibular joints.

19. Ellipsoid joints
• Elliptical convex surface of one
bone articulates with elliptical
concave surface of another.
• Permit movements in two
directions.
• Combination of movements
cause
circumduction.
• e.g. wrist and atlanto-occipital
joints.

20. Saddle (sellar) joints
• Articular surfaces are reciprocally saddle shaped
i.e. concavo-convex.
• e.g. first carpo-metacarpal

21. Ball and socket (spheroidal) joints
• Rounded convex surface of one bone (globoid
head) fits into the cup-like socket of another
bone.
• Permits greatest range of movements.
• Multiaxial.
• e.g. Shoulder, Hip joints.

22. According to plane of movements
• Uniaxial: Hinge and Pivot
• Biaxial: Condylar, ellipsoid, saddle
• Multiaxial: Ball and socket
Uniaxial Biaxial Multiaxial

23. Applied Aspects of Joints
Dislocation: Condition in which the articular surfaces of the joint are
abnormally displaced so that one surface loses its contact completely
with the other.
Subluxation: Partial contact retained.
Dislocation and Subluxation
are commonly caused by trauma.
Pain, Restriction of motion.
X-ray.
Shoulder,TMJ,Thumb.
**Recurrent dislocations: Joint capsule
and ligaments overstretched and become loose.

25. • Sprain: Ligament of a joint is overstreched or torn.
• Intense pain, Restriction of movements due to pain.
• Ligaments of knee, ankle, lower spine.
• Partial tear.
• Complete tear – Surgical repair.

26. Arthritis:
• Term indicates all inflammatory and degenerative diseases of joints. It
can be caused by a variety of diseases.
• Rheumatoid Arthritis – Osteoarthritis - Gouty Arthritis - Septic
Arthritis - Tuberculos Arthritis.
• The involved joint is commonly swollen and its movements are
restricted and painful.

28. References
1. Gray’s Anatomy 41st International Edition.
2. Inderbir Singh’s Textbook of Anatomy 6th
Edition.
3. Google for images.

29. MCQs
1. All of the following are examples of the
fibrous joint except:
a) Suture
b) Syndesmosis
c) Symphysis
d) Gomphosis

30. 2. All of the following are examples of the synovial
joint except:
a) Pivot
b) Saddle
c) Syndesmosis
d)Ellipsoid

31. 3. Subtype gomphosis is classified under:
a) Biaxial synovial joint
b) Symphysis
c) Fibrous joint
d) Synchondrosis

32. Thank You