AnatomyDepartment

The joints
By Prof.Ibtisam Bahei-Eldin

Intended Learning Outcomes

By the end of this lecture , the student will be able to:

1.Define the joints . 2.Classify the joints according to structure (fibrous, cartilaginous and synovial ). 3.Describe the sub-classification of each type . 4.Realize the construction of synovial joints. 5.Locate different types of joints in the body 6. Realize the function and stability of joints.

Meeting between 2 or more bones or bet. Bone & cartilage

Joints are classified according to their structure and mobility

Fibrous

Types of joints

Fibrous
Rarely movable Or immovable

Synovial
Freely movable

Cartilaginous
Limited movements

Between skull bones. No or very little

movement.

Ossify by age.

Syndesmosis
Inferior tibio-fibular joint. Connected by Do not ossify Slightly movable.

interosseous ligament.

Periodontal ligament

Root of tooth In sockets

Gomphosis:Joint between a tooth and its socket in a bone. The tooth and the bone are connected by

periodontal ligament (fibrous) condition.

Movement at this joint is a pathological

Cartilaginous Joints
Primary cartilaginous joints Secondary cartilaginous joints

Primary cartilaginous joint

Primary cartilaginous joints

Bones are united by hyaline

cartilage e.g. epiphyseal plate

The joint ossifies at a

certain age.
Examples:

Does not permit movement Between epiphysis &

diaphysis of long bones

Between the rib & its

costal cartilage

Between cartilage of 1st rib

& manubrium sterni base

Between bones of skull

Secondary cartilaginous Js
The articular surfaces of bones are covered by thin plate of hyaline cartilage. The opposing plates are connected by a disc of fibrocartilage. Ossifies rarely. Permits limited movement. Examples: symphysis menti, symphysis pubis, between vertebrae & between different parts of sternum

Secondary cartilaginous joints

Midline joints
Known as symphysis

Structure of synovial Joint

Synovial membrane

Capsular ligaments

Freely movable

Accessory ligaments
Knee joint

Menisci of the knee J

Disc
Intra-articular structures

Intra-articular structures

Scapula

Classifications of synovial Js According to the shape of the articular surfaces. According to number of axes 1.Uniaxial joints 2.Biaxial joints 3.Polyaxial joints

Uniaxial Joints
Horizontal axis

Hinge joint

Humerus

e.g.elbow joint

Radius

Ulna

Uniaxial joints
Vertical axis

Pivot joint
e.g.radioulnar joints

Radius

ULNA

Bicondylar joints Modified hinge

Femoral condyles Knee joint Tibial condyles

Bicondylar joint

Temporomandibular J.

IV

III

II

Wrist joint

Ellipsoid joint
Radius
Dr Azza Kamal

Biaxial joints

Biaxial joints
Saddle joint

carpometacarpal joint of thumb

Biaxial joints
Ellipsoid joint

Metacarpophalangeal joint

Hip bone

Multiaxial joints

e.g.hip joint

Ball &socket

Plane joint

Radius
ulna

e.g.Intercarpal joints

 Uniaxial joints :- hinge, pivot &

bicondylar (modified hinge) Biaxial joints :- ellipsoid & saddle Multi-axial :- ball & socket.e.g.hip and shoulder joints. Plane joints

Stability of the joints

Depends on: 1.The shape of the articular surfaces 2. Strength of the capsule & ligaments 3.The tone & action of surrounding muscles

Summary of important points

Definition of joint:.is the site of meeting between 2 or more bones Classification according to structure and mobility: fibrous, cartilaginous ( primary & secondary ) and synovial. The fibrous joints:.sutures of skull, syndesmosis (inferior tibiofibular J) and gomphosis ( between the teeth and jaws). The primary cartilaginous J : bones are connected by hyaline cartilage e.g. joint between 1st costal cartilage & sternum. The secondary cartilaginous J: the bones are connected by fibrocartilage e.g. inter-vertebral discs , symphysis pubis..

Summary of important points

Construction of synovial J: articular surfaces are covered with hyaline cartilage, fibrous capsule, synovial membrane and fluid , joint cavity ,intra-capsular structures ( disc, labrum ,tendon ). Classification of synovial Js according to number of axes: 1. Uniaxial: hinge (elbow J) and pivot (sup. & inf. Radio-ulnar Js) 2. Biaxial: ellipsoid (wrist J) ,saddle (carpo-metacarpal of thumb) and bicondylar Knee J). 3. Multiaxial (ball & socket) :e.g. shoulder and hip Js. 4. Plane : flat surfaces ( acromio-clavicular J). Stability of the joints:depends on: 1. The shape of articular surfaces. 2. Strength of the capsule and ligaments. 3. The tone and action of the surrounding muscles.

Examples of questions to assess the ILOs

1. One of the following joints is uniaxial hinge: a. Shoulder . b. Elbow. c. Wrist. d. Metacarpo-phalangeal. e. Radio-ulnar. 2. The ball and socket joint is : a. Acromio-clavicular. b.Carpo-metacarpal of thumb. c.Shoulder. d. Inter-phalangeal. e.Sternocalvicular.