Lecture 9: Arthrology
M/O Chapter 9
45. Classify joints based on the degree of movement allowed and give examples of each classification.
46. Classify joints based on anatomical structure and give examples of each classification.
47. Identify the structural components of the synovial joint, including accessory structures like bursae,
tendon sheaths, and ligaments.
48. Describe the anatomical features, locations and possible movements for each of the six structural types
of synovial joints.
49. Describe and demonstrate the generalized movements possible at different synovial joints.
Arthrology is the study of JOINTS, or ARTICULATIONS...which are the places where two bones meet.
The shape of a joint will tell you EVERYTHING about the movements that take place at that joint.
Classifying joints by FUNCTION
The functional classification of joints groups them by the amount of movement possible (Note: The more mobile the joint, the less
stable it is!):
1. Synarthroses (plural): Immovable, or nearly so.
2. Amphiarthroses: slightly movable
3. Diarthroses: very movable
Classifying joints by STRUCTURE
You can also classify joints based on their structural (or anatomical) characteristics:
1. Fibrous: Held together by dense regular connective tissue
A. Gomphoses: Teeth
B. Sutures: Skull
C. Syndesmoses: Strands of dense regular CT connect 2 bones
2. Cartilaginous: Held together by any kind of cartilage
A. Symphyses: bound by a fibrocartilage pad
i. Pubic symphysis
ii. Intervertebral disks
B. Synchondrosis
i. Epiphyseal plates!
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3. Synovial: Held together by an “egg sac” capsule.
A. All synovial joints are diarthroses
B. Bones don’t actually touch!
C. Structure:
i. Two (or more) articulating bones
ii. Each bone is capped with articular cartilage (a cap made of hyaline cartilage)
iii. Bones are separated by a fluid-filled space called the joint cavity
iv. Bones (and joint cavity) are encased by the joint capsule, which has 2 layers
a. Inner layer is the synovial membrane, which produces synovial fluid that fills the joint cavity.
b. Outer layer is the fibrous layer made of dense connective tissue
v. Other associated structures:
a. Ligaments connect bones...can be extrinsic (outside the joint capsule) or intrinsic (arising from a thickening of the
joint capsule itself...) Intrinsic ligaments can be intracapsular or extracapsular.
b. Tendons can help stabilize joints
c. Bursae are pillows of synovial membrane that reduce friction between structures in the joint...
d. When a bursa surrounds a tendon or group of tendons, it is called a tendon sheath.
D. 6 types of synovial joints:
i. Uniaxial joints
a. Hinge joint (allow motion in only a single axis...most common)
b. Pivot joint (uniaxial allows a bone to rotate on the longitudinal axis of another bone...)
c. Planar/gliding joint: very limited motion
ii. Biaxial joints
a. Condylar joint (sort of like a ball-and-socket joint, but allows movement in only two planes...)
b. Saddle joint (found in the pollex, between the first metacarpal and trapezium...enables opposition!)
iii. Multiaxial joints
a. Ball-and-socket (hip joint and glenohumoral)
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Lab 9: Joints and Movement
Reading: M&O Ch. 9
Part 1: Movements
Movement
Flexion
Opposite
Extension
Example
Other notes
Hyperextension
Lateral flexion
Abduction
Adduction
Medial rotation
Lateral rotation
Circumduction
Pronation
Supination
Depression
Elevation
Dorsiflexion
Plantarflexion
Inversion
Eversion
Protraction
Retraction
Opposition
Part 2: Articulations
1. Using your text and the articulated skeleton as a guide, find an example of each of the following types of joints. Be sure you are
clear which type of connective tissue are involved in each of these joints.
Joint type
Suture
Connective tissue(s)
Example(s)
Movement
Gomphosis
Syndesmosis
Synchondrosis
Symphysis
Synovial
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2. Classify the following synovial joints in terms of specific structure (hinge, pivot, gliding, condyloid, saddle, or ball and socket)
and the types of movement (flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, rotation, etc.) permitted at the joint.
Joint
Temporomandibular
Structure
Types of possible movements
Glenohumoral
Elbow
Radiocarpal
Carpometacarpal of thumb
Interphalangeal (of hand)
Hip
Knee (genual)
Talocrural
3. Examine the following joints in the vertebral column and describe the types of movement (flexion, extension, lateral bending,
rotation) permitted at each joint. Then clearly explain how you KNOW this.
Joint
atlanto-occipital
atlanto-axial
intervertebral joint:
C3 & C4
intervertebral joint:
T2 & T3
intervertebral joint:
L2 & L3
Movement
Part 3: Specific joints
Examine the special preparations of the following joints. Know the individual bones involved and notice when ligaments and/or
muscle tendons stabilize the joints. Finally, identify the structures in the list below.
1. Examine the cadaver prep of the shoulder joint and identify the following structures:
A. articular capsule
B. articular cartilage
C. rotator cuff muscles (we’ll identify them individually later)
D. tendon of long head of biceps
E. glenoid cavity (fossa)
F. glenoid labrum
2. Examine the cadaver prep of the elbow joint and identify the following structures:
A. articular capsule
B. anular ligament
C. radial collateral ligament
D. ulnar collateral ligament
3. Examine the cadaver prep of the knee joint and identify the following structures:
A. patella
B. patellar ligament
C. fibular (lateral) collateral ligament
D. tibial (medial) collateral ligament
E. anterior cruciate ligament
F. posterior cruciate ligament
G. medial meniscus
H. lateral meniscus
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External Brain 9: Arthrology
45. Classify joints based on the degree of movement allowed and give examples of each classification.
46. Classify joints based on anatomical structure and give examples of each classification.
47. Identify the structural components of the synovial joint, including accessory structures like bursae,
tendon sheaths, and ligaments.
48. Describe the anatomical features, locations and possible movements for each of the six structural types
of synovial joints.
49. Describe and demonstrate the generalized movements possible at different synovial joints.
Your Task
1. Label images or DRAW pictures that include ALL required lab structures.
2. Draw a picture of a typical synovial joint and label the following parts:
i. Articular cartilages
ii. Joint capsule
a. Outer fibrous layer
b. Inner synovial membrane
iii. Joint cavity
iv. Ligaments
v. Fibrocartilage pad
vi. Extension of CT capsule
vii. Bursae
viii.Tendons
3. Evaluate a movement. Describe the movement using anatomical terms.
4. Speculate on the muscles that would be needed to enable a movement to take place. Where would they attach to the bones?
Bio 6: Human Anatomy
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Spring 2014: Riggs