The structural classification divides joints into fibrous, cartilaginous, and synovial joints depending on the material composing the joint and the presence or absence of a cavity in the joint. The functional classification divides joints into three categories: synarthroses, amphiarthroses, and diarthroses

1. Classification and Applied
Aspects of Joints
Dr. Mathew Joseph
MBBS, MD(AIIMS), BCC(Palliative Medicine)
Assistant Professor
Department of Anatomy
Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church Medical College
Kolenchery

3. Lets discuss:
1. General Concepts on Joints
2. Classification of Joints
3. Applied Aspects of Joints
4. References
5. MCQs

4. Introduction
• Arthrology / Syndesmology : Study of joints
• Synonyms: Articulatio (Latin)
Arthron , Syndesmo (Greek)
• Definition: Joints are the regions of the skeleton
where two or more bones meet and articulate.
• Function: Facilitate growth / Allow movements
between bones.

5. ** Several classifications of joints have been
made considering the range of movements
possible, type of intervening soft tissues; there is
no satisfactory single classification.
** Here we consider the Structural and
Functional classification of joints according to
Gray’s Anatomy 41st International edition.

6. Classification of joints
Functional Classification: (based on degree of mobility):
1.Synarthroses: Immovable joints (cranial sutures in
adults, primary cartilaginous joints in
growing children).
2.Amphiarthroses: Slightly movable joints (joints
between adjacent laminae of vertebrae).
3.Diarthroses: Freely movable joints (synovial joints).

7. Functional classification (cont….)
Synarthroses Amphiarthroses Diarthroses

8. Structural Classification: (Based on type of intervening
connecting tissue )
1.Fibrous: Bones are joined by fibrous connective
tissue that allows little movement.
2.Cartilaginous: Bones are joined by cartilage (primary
or secondary). Some allows restricted movement.
3. Synovial: These are freely moving joints in which the
articulating bony surfaces are covered in smooth
articular cartilage and separated by a film of viscous
synovial fluid that serves as a lubricant.

9. Structural classification (cont….)
Fibrous Cartilaginous Syno vial

10. Fibrous joints
1. Sutures: Articular surfaces are connected by a thin
layer of connective tissue. They are confined to the skull and are
immovable.
2. Syndesmoses: Bones are connected by a considerably greater
amount of connective tissue than in sutures in the form of
interosseous ligaments and membranes. Slight movement is
permitted. e.g. interosseous membranes, inferior tibiofibular
joints,
3. Gomphosis (peg and socket joint): Articulation of teeth in
alveolar sockets of mandible and maxilla by
periodontal ligament.

11. Fibrous joints (cont….)
Sutures Syndesmoses Gomphoses

12. Sutures
• Plane : Midpalatine
• Serrate: Sagital
• Denticulate: Lambdoid
• Squamous: Temporo-Parietal
• Schindylesis : Sphenoido-
Vomeric

15. Cartilaginous joints
1.Primary (Synchondroses)
• Hyaline cartilage.
• Growing end of bone.
• Synostosis.
• Temporary.
• No movements
2.Secondary (Symphyses)
• Hyaline + Firocartilage.
• Median plane of body
• Not Ossified
• Permenent
• Limited movements

18. Synovial joints
• Most evolved and freely movable joints
• Have a joint cavity filled with synovial fluid
• Often termed as diarthrodial joints
• Components:
1. Fibrous capsule
2. Synovial membrane
3. Ligaments
4. Articular cartilage
5. Articular disc or meniscus
6. Bursae
7. Fat pads (Haversian glands)

19. Classification of Synovial joints
• According to shape of articular surfaces:
•
1. Plane
2. Hinge
3. Pivot
4. Condylar
5. Ellipsoid
6. Saddle
7. Ball and socket

21. Plane (Gliding) Joints
• Articular surfaces are
nearly flat.
• Allow pure translations or
sliding between bones.

22. Hinge (Ginglymus) Joints
• Articular surfaces are hinge
shaped.
• Movements takes place in a
single stationary axis and is
restricted to one plane.

23. Pivot (Trochoid) Joints
• Rounded end of osteous pivot fits into
the concavity of another bone.
• The rounded part is surrounded by a
ligament (osteoligamentous ring).
• Limited rotation around a central
axis.(Uniaxial)
•

24. Condylar joints
• Round articular surface of one bone fits into a socket-type
articular surface of another bone.
• Permit movements in two directions.

25. Ellipsoid joints
• Elliptical convex surface of one bone
articulates with elliptical concave
surface of another.
• Permit movements in two directions.
• Combination of movements cause
Circumduction

26. Saddle (sellar) Joints
• Articular surfaces are reciprocally saddle shaped
i.e. concavo-convex.

27. Ball and socket (Spheroidal) Joints
• Rounded convex surface of one bone (globoid
head) fits into the cup-like socket of another
bone.
• Permits greatest range of movements.
• Multiaxial.

28. According to plane of movements
• Uniaxial: Hinge and Pivot
• Biaxial: Condylar, Ellipsoid, Saddle
• Multiaxial: Ball and Socket
Uniaxial Biaxial Multiaxial

29. Classification of joints
Based of number of Articulating Bones:
1.Simple Joint: 2 Bones - Shoulder, Hip, Interphalangeal
2.Compound Joint: More than 2 Bones - Elbow, Wrist
3.Complex Joint: 2 or More Bones
Multiple Joint Cavities
Knee, TMJ

30. Applied Aspects of Joints
Dislocation: Condition in which the articular surfaces of the joint are
abnormally displaced so that one surface loses its contact completely
with the other.
Subluxation: Partial contact retained.
• Traumatic etiology
• Pain, Restriction of motion.
• X-ray.
• Shoulder,TMJ,Thumb.
**Recurrent dislocations: Joint capsule
and ligaments overstretched and become loose.

33. Sprain:
• Ligament of a joint is overstreched or torn.
• Intense pain, Restriction of movements due to pain.
• Ligaments of knee, ankle, lower spine.
• Partial tear.
• Complete tear – Surgical repair.

34. Arthritis:
Term indicates all inflammatory and degenerative diseases of joints. It
can be caused by a variety of diseases.
• Rheumatoid Arthritis.
• Osteoarthritis.
• Gouty Arthritis.
• Septic Arthritis.
• Tuberculos Arthritis.
***The involved joint is commonly swollen and its
movements are restricted and painful.

36. REFERENCES
1. Gray’s Anatomy 41st International Edition.

37. MCQs
1. All of the following are examples of the
fibrous joint except:
a) Suture
b) Syndesmosis
c) Symphysis
d) Gomphosis

38. 2. All of the following are examples of the synovial
joint except:
a) Pivot
b) Saddle
c) Syndesmosis
d)Ellipsoid

39. 3. Subtype gomphosis is classified under:
a) Biaxial synovial joint
b) Symphysis
c) Fibrous joint
d) Synchondrosis