Joints Defined

The intricate movements of a human, such as those performed in dance and athletics, are
accomplished by using a wide variety of joints. Though joints allow the skeleton to be
dynamic, they also play an important role in stability and protection. In fact, the mobility
of a joint is often inversely proportional to its stability. For example, the sutures of the
bones of the cranium are basically immovable in relationship to one another, but due to
their stable nature, they serve to protect the brain throughout daily life and during
incidents of trauma. On the other hand, the ball-and-socket of the shoulder enables a wide
variety of complex movements. This increase in the amount of mobility leads to
instability, which is why the shoulder is more susceptible to injury.

A joint (articulation) occurs wherever bones meet. Joints are classified both structurally
and functionally, as shown in Table 1 .

TABLE 1 Joint Classification

Functional Class Structural Joint Description Example of

Class Type Joint

Synarthrosis fibrous suture interlocking between cranial

(immovable) seams bones

Synarthrosis fibrous gomphosis peg- and socket between teeth &

(immovable) joint sockets

Synarthrosis cartilaginous synchrondrosis hyaline cartilage between

(immovable) joint diaphysis &
epiphysis in long
bones

Amphiarthrosis fibrous syndesmosis ligament ordistal joint of tibia &

(slightly interosseous fibula
movable) membrane

Amphiarthrosis cartilaginous symphysis fibrocartilage acts intervertebral

(slightly as compressible discs of vertebral
movable) cushion column

diarthrosis (freely synovial gliding surfaces between carpals

movable)
 Structural Description Example of
Functional Class Class Joint Type Joint

diarthrosis (freely synovial hinge concave surface between humerus

movable) with convex & ulna
surface

diarthrosis (freely synovial pivot rounded end fits between altas

movable) into ring of bone (C1) & axis (C2)
and ligament vertebrae

diarthrosis (freely synovial condyloid oval condyle with between

movable) oval cavity metacarpals &
phalanges

diarthrosis (freely synovial saddle each surface is between carpus

movable) both concave and & the first
convex metacarpal

diarthrosis (freely synovial ball- and- ball-shaped head between femur &
movable) socket with cup-shaped pelvis
socket

Structural and Functional Classification

Structural classification is based on the materials that hold the joint together and whether
or not a cavity is present in the joint. There are three structural classes.

 Fibrous joints are held together by fibrous connective tissue. No joint cavity is
present. Fibrous joints may be immovable or slightly movable.
 Cartilaginous joints are held together by cartilage (hyaline or fibrocartilage). No
joint cavity is present. Cartilaginous joints may be immovable or slightly
movable.

 Synovial joints are characterized by a synovial cavity (joint cavity) containing

synovial fluid. Synovial joints are freely movable and characterize most joints of
the body. Figure 1 lists other features of a synovial joint, including:
 Figure 1
A synovial joint.

o Articular cartilage (hyaline cartilage), which covers the end of each bone.

o A synovial membrane, which surrounds the synovial cavity. Its areolar

connective tissue secretes a lubricating synovial fluid into the synovial
cavity.

o A fibrous capsule outside the synovial membrane, which surrounds the

joint. It often contains bundles of dense, irregular, connective tissue called
ligaments. The ligaments provide strength and flexibility to the joint.

o The articulate capsule is composed of the synovial membrane and fibrous

capsule.

o Accessory ligaments lie outside the articular capsule (extracapsular

ligaments) or inside the synovial cavity (intracapsular ligaments).

Functional classification is based on the degree to which the joint permits movement.
There are three types:

 A synarthrosis joint permits no movement. Structurally, it may be a fibrous or

cartilaginous joint.
 An amphiarthrosis joint permits only slight movement. Structurally, it may be
fibrous or cartilaginous joint.
 A diarthrosis joint is a freely movable joint. Structurally, it is always a synovial
joint.