Student Objectives
7. List three natural factors that stabilize synovial
joints.
When you have completed the exercises in this
chapter, you will have accomplished the following
objectives:
8. Name and describe (or perform) the common
body movements.
Classification of Joints
1. Define joint or articulation.
2. Classify joints structurally and functionally.
Fibrous Joints
3. Describe the general structure of fibrous joints.
Name and give an example of each of the three
common types of fibrous joints.
Cartilaginous Joints
4. Describe the general structure of cartilaginous
joints. Name and give an example of each of
the two common types of cartilaginous joints.
Synovial Joints
172
9. Name and provide examples of the six types
of synovial joints based on the type of move­
mentis) allowed.
10. Describe the elbow, knee, hip, jaw, and shoul­
der joints in terms of articulating bones,
anatomical characteristics of the joint,
movements allowed, and joint stability.
Homeostatic Imbalances of Joints
11. Name the most common joint injuries and dis­
cuss the symptoms and problems associated
with each.
12. Compare and contrast the common types of
arthritis.
13. Describe the cause and consequences of Lyme
disease.
5. Describe the structural characteristics of
synovial joints.
Developmental Aspects of Joints
6. Compare the structures and functions of
bursae and tendon sheaths.
14. Discuss factors that promote or disturb joint
homeostasis.
Chapter 8 Joints
173
Joints are structures that connect adjoining bones. Except for the hyoid bone, and
sesamoid bones like the patella, each bone contacts at least one other bone at a
joint. A typical joint includes the adjacent surfaces of the bones and the fibrous
tissue or ligaments that bind the bones together. In addition to binding the bones
together, joints provide the skeleton with the flexibility to permit body
movements.
Because joints vary in structure and range of motion, it is convenient to classify
them on the basis of their structure (fibrous, cartilaginous, or synovial) and func­
tion (the degree of joint movement allowed).
Topics for review in Chapter 8 include the classification of joints, the structures
of selected synovial joints, joint impairment, and changes in the joints through­
out life.
BUILDING
THE
FRAMEWORK
Classification of Joints
1. Write your answers to the following questions in the answer blanks.
1. What are the two major functions of joints?
2. List three criteria used to classify joints.
3. For each of the structural joint categories-fibrous, cartilaginous, and synovial-give the most
common functional classification and describe the degree of movement.
174
Study Guide for Human Anatomy & Physiology
Fibrous, Cartilaginous, and Synovial Joints
1. For each joint described below; select an answer from Key A. Then, if the Key A
selection is other than C (synovial joint), classify the joint further by making a
choice from Key B.
KEY A: A. Cartilaginous
KEY B: 1. Gomphosis
4. Syndesmosis
B. Fibrous
2. Suture
5. Synchondrosis
C. Synovial
3. Symphysis
6. Synostosis
1. Characterized by hyaline
cartilage connecting the bony
portions
2. All have a fibrous capsule
lined with a synovial
membrane surrounding a
joint cavity
3. Bone regions united by
fibrous connective tissue
4. Joints between skull bones
5. Joint between atlas and axis
6. Hip, elboW; knee, and inter­
carpal joints
10. Costosternal joints 2-7
11. Joint providing the most
protection to underlying
structures
12. Often contains a fluid-filled
cushion
13. Child's epiphyseal plate made
of hyaline cartilage
___ 14. Most joints of the limbs
15. Teeth in body alveolar
sockets
16. Joint between first rib and
manubrium of sternum
7. Intervertebral joints (between
vertebral bodies)
17. Ossified sutures
8. Pubic symphysis
18. Distal tibiofibular joint
9. All are reinforced by
ligaments
2. Which structural joint type is not commonly found in the axial skeleton
and why not?
-----------------------------
Chapter 8 Joints
3. Figure 8.1 shows the structure of a typical synovial joint. Select different
colors to identify and color the following areas. Then label the following: the
more proximal epiphyseal line, the more distal epiphyseal line, spongy bone,
periosteum.
o Articular cartilage of bone ends
o Fibrous capsule
o Synovial membrane
o Joint cavity
Figure 8.1
4. Match the key choices with the descriptive phrases below, to properly character­
ize selected aspects of synovial joints.
Key Choices
A. Articular cartilage
C. Ligaments and fibrous capsule
B. Synovial fluid
D. Muscle tendons
1. Keeps bone ends from crushing when compressed; resilient
2. Resists tension placed on joints
3. Lubricant that minimizes friction and abrasion of joint surfaces
4. Keeps joints from overheating
5. Helps prevent dislocation
175
176
Study Guide for Human Anatomy & Physiology
5. Match the body movement terms in Column B with the appropriate
description in Column A. (More than one choice may apply.)
Column A
Column B
I. Movement along the sagittal plane that
decreases the angle between two bones
A. Abduction
B. Adduction
2. Movement along the frontal plane,
away from the body midline; raising the
arm laterally
C. Circumduction
D. Depression
3. Circular movement around the longi­
tudinal bone axis; shaking the head "no"
E. Dorsiflexion
4. Slight displacement or slipping of
F.
bones, as might occur between the
carpals of the wrist
Elevation
G. Eversion
t,
5. Describing a cone-shaped pathway with
the arm
H. Extension
"
I. Flexion
6. Lifting or raising a body part; shrugging
the shoulders
J.
7. Moving the hand into a palm-up (or
K. Inversion
Gliding
forward) position
L. Plantar flexion
8. Movement of the superior aspect of
the foot toward the leg; standing on
the heels
M. Pronation
N. Protraction
9. Turning the sole of the foot medially
O. Retraction
10. Movement of a body part anteriorly;
jutting the lower jaw forward
p.
II. Common angular movements
Q. Supination
Rotation
6. Figure 8.2 illustrates types of movements allowed by synovial joints. Match
the letters on the figure with the types of movements listed below. Insert your
answers in the answer blanks. Then color the drawing to suit your fancy.
1. Flexion
6. Protraction
2. Plantar flexion
7. Circumduction
3. Abduction
8. Adduction
4. Rotation
9. Extension
5. Pronation
10. Dorsiflexion
..
~
Chapter 8 Joints
,~dJC
_~E
Figure 8.2
177