ARTHROLOGY

03-11-2015
 DEFINITION
• Arthrology is the science that study joints.
• Joints are places where two or more bones
make contact.
 Classification of articulation (joints)
I. Based on Function
1. Synarthrosis –immovable joints restricted to the
axial skeleton.
2. Amphiarthrosis –slightly movable joints

3. Diarthrosis –freely movable joints - predominate in limbs.

II. Based on structures

1. Fibrous joints

2. Cartilaginous joints

3. Synovial joints
1. Fibrous Joints (Synarthrosis)
- bones are connected by collagen fibers (no joint
cavity)
① Sutures - a rigid joint between bones
• serrate sutures
• Lap sutures
• Plane sutures
1. Fibrous Joints (Synarthrosis)
②Gomphoses ( 嵌合连接）
• a joint that binds the teeth to dental
alveoli (socket)in the maxillary and
bone and mandible bones.
• Held in place by fibrous periodontal
ligament
• Some movement while chewing
1. Fibrous Joints (Synarthrosis)
③Syndesmoses (韧带联合)
• the bones are united by fibrous connective tissue forming
an interosseous membrane or ligament.
• slightly movable articulation
2. Cartilaginous joints
•Bones are joined by cartilages

① Synchondrosis (软骨结合)
- Bones are joined by hyaline cartilage (透明软骨)
• ribs articulates with the sternum by costal cartilage
• epiphyseal plate binds epiphysis and diaphysis
2. Cartilaginous joints
② Symphysis
• two bones joined by fibrocartilage
– pubic symphysis
– intervertebral discs
• slight movement
3. Synovial joints (Diarthrosis,滑膜关节)
• Most movable joints of the body
(1) Essential structures
①Articular surface

– formed by hyaline
cartilage

– covers joint surfaces

– helps reduce friction

and pressure.
3. Synovial joints
(1) Essential structures
② Articular capsule – two layers encloses joint cavity

• fibrous membrane - continuous

with periosteum
• synovial membrane
– lines the internal surface of
the fibraous menbrane
– secretes synovial fluid that
reduces friction, dissipate
heat, and absorb shock.
③Articular cavity - a space in which
two bones are separated
Synovial joints
3. Synovial joints
(2) Accessory structures
①Ligaments- help hold the joint
together.
② Articular discs and menisci
- jaw, wrist, sternoclavicular and
knee joints
-absorbs shock, guides bone
movements and distributes forces

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(2) Accessory structures
③ Articular fat pads - adipose
tissue pads that protect the
articular cartilage, as seen in the
infrapatellar fat pad in the knee.
④Articular labrum –help to
deepen articular surfaces
(2) Accessory structures

⑤ Synovial fold or synovial bursa

• a small fluid-filled sac lined by
synovial membrane.
• provides a cushion between
bones and tendons and/or
muscles around a joint.
• helps to reduce friction
between the bones
• allows free movement.
(2) Accessory structures
⑥Tendon sheaths
cylinders of connective tissue
lined with synovial membrane
and wrapped around a tendon
 Types of synovial Joints (Articulations)
1. Plane joints (Gliding joints,滑动关节)

– Flat articular surfaces in which

bones slide over each other
• Acromioclavicular joint
• Sternocostal joints between
the 2nd and 7th
• Wrists and ankles joints
– Limited movement
1. Plane joints (Gliding joints,滑动关节)

Ankles
Wrists

Joint between cuneiform

Joint between scaphoid and two bones and metatarsal
trapezial bones bones
2. Pivot Joint (rotary joint, 车轴关节)
• a joint that allows rotary movement
and twisting movement
(1) Joints between radius and ulna which
allow to move by pronation and supination.
– Proximal radioulnar joint
– Distal radioulnar joint
2. Pivot Joint (rotary joint, 车轴关节)
(2) atlanto-axial joint between the
atlas and the axis which allows for
turning of the head from side to side.
 3. Hinge Joint (屈戌关节)

• A joint in which a convex part

of one bone fits into a concave
part of another, allowing
motion in only one plane.
– The elbow joint between
the humerus and ulna
– Interphalangeal joints in
hand and foot
• Movement of flexion and
extension.
• Pivot and hinge joints can be
both considered cylindrical
joints.
4. Ellipsoid (Condyloid) Joints
– an ovoid articular surface, or
condyle, is received into an
elliptical cavity.
– permits movement in two
planes, allowing flexion,
extension, adduction,
abduction, and circumduction.
– The wrist joint
– Metacarpophalangeal joints
– Metatarsophalangeal joints
5. Saddle Joints (鞍状关节)

– Each articular surface is

shaped like a saddle, the
opposing surfaces are
reciprocally concave-
convex.
– provide stability to the
bones while providing
more flexibility than a
hinge or gliding joint.
– trapeziometacarpal joint
at the base of the thumb.
6. Ball-and-Socket Joints (球窝关节)

– Smooth hemispherical head fits within a

cuplike depression

– Shoulder joint (head of humerus into

glenoid cavity of scapula )

– Hip joint (head of femur into

acetabulum of hip bone)

– Rotary motion is possible in every

direction (flexion, extension, abduction,
adduction, circumflexion, and rotation )
 Summary of synovial joints

1. Ball-and-Socket Joints
2. Ellipsoid (Condyloid)
Joints
3. Saddle Joints
4. Hinge Joint
5. Pivot Joint
6. Plan joint

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 Summary of Joint Classes
Structural Class Characteristics Types Mobility

Fibrous Bones united by 1. Suture 1. Immobile

collagen fibers 2. Syndesmosis (synarthrosis)
3. gomphosis 2. Slightly
moveable
(amphiarthrosis)
3. Immobile
Cartilaginous Bone ends united 1. Synchondrosi 1. Immobile
by cartilage s (hyaline) 2. Slightly
2. Symphysis moveable
(fibrocartliage)
Synovial Bone ends covered 1. Plane Freely moveable
with articular 2. Hinge (diarthrosis) which
cartilage and 3. Pivot depends on joint
enclosed within a 4. Condyloid design
capsule lined with a 5. Saddle
synovial membrane 6. Ball and
socket
 Types of joint movements

1. General motion
2. Special motions of the hands and feet
3. Other special motions
1. General motion
(1) Gliding (sliding)
– Gliding movements in the plane of articular surfaces
– The opposed surfaces of the bones are flat or almost flat
– Movement is limited by their tight joint capsules
– Small joints (acromioclavicular joint, wrists, ankles,
sternocostals)
(2) Flexion / Extension
•Flexion - Bending movement that decreases the angle
between two parts.
•Extension - The opposite of flexion; a straightening
movement that increases the angle between body parts.
Flexion / Extension/
Flexion /Extension of the neck
FLEXION/EXTENSION OF THE VETEBRAL COLUMN

Extension
 FLEXION EXTESION OF LIMBS

To knee joint To hip joint

 (3) Abduction / Adduction
– Abduction - A motion that pulls a structure or part
away from the midline of the body.
– Adduction - A motion that pulls a structure or part
towards the midline of the body, or towards the
midline of a limb.

Abduction
Adduction
(4) Rotation
– Internal rotation (or medial rotation) of the shoulder
or hip would point the toes or the flexed forearm
inwards (towards the midline).
– External rotation (or lateral rotation) is the opposite
of Internal Rotation. It would turn the toes or the
flexed forearm outwards (away from the midline).

Internal rotation
External rotation
(5) Elevation /Depression
– Elevation - Movement in a superior direction.
– Depression - Movement in an inferior direction, the
opposite of elevation.
Elevation /Depression
2. Special motions of forearm and hands
(1) Pronation /Supination
– Pronation - A rotation of the
forearm that moves the
palm from an anterior-
facing position to a
posterior-facing position, or
palm facing down.
– Supination - The opposite of
pronation, the rotation of
the forearm so that the
palm faces anteriorly, or
palm facing up.
– Opposition of thumb
2. Special motions of the feet
(2)Dorsiflexion /Plantarflexion (Occurs at ankle).
– Dorsiflexion - Flexion of the entire foot superiorly, as if
taking one's foot off an automobile pedal.
– Plantarflexion - Flexion of the entire foot inferiorly, as if
pressing an automobile pedal.
(3) Inversion /Eversion
– Eversion - the movement of the sole of the foot away
from the median plane.
– Inversion - the movement of the sole towards the
median plane (same as when an ankle is twisted).
3.Other special motions
(1) Protraction /Retraction
– Protraction - Anterior movement of the arms at the
shoulders.
– Retraction - Posterior movement of the arms at the
shoulders.

Protraction
(2)Circumduction
– The circular movement of a body part. It consists of a
combination of flexion, extension, adduction, and
abduction. "Windmilling" the arms or rotating the hand
from the wrist are examples of circumductive
movement.