This document provides an overview of joints, including their definition, classification, and components. It discusses the three main types of joints - fibrous, cartilaginous, and synovial joints. For synovial joints specifically, it describes the articular cartilage, synovial fluid, articular capsule, ligaments, meniscus/articular disc, and classifications based on shape of articular surfaces and number of bones. It also reviews the blood supply, movements, and applied anatomy of synovial joints. In summary, it is a comprehensive review of the anatomy and classifications of different joint types in the human body.

1. JOINTS
Presented by:
Mr.Manthan Kapadiya,
Assistant Professor
NCN,Visnagar

2. JOINTS
 Related Terms
Arthron(G. a joint)
Articulatio(L. a joint)
Junctura (L. a joint)
Syndesmology -study of ligaments
( Syndesmosis=Ligament)
 Definition
Joint is a junction between two or more bones
or cartilages.

3. CLASSIFICATION OF JOINTS
 Structural classification
 Functional classification
 Regional classification

4. Structural
classification
Fibrous joints Cartilaginous
joints
Synovial joints
Sutures
Syndesmosis
Gomphosis
Primary cartilagenous joints
(synchondrosis)
Secondary cartilagenous
joints (symphysis)
Plane joints
Hinge joints
Pivot joints
Condylar joints
Ellipsoid joints
Saddle joints
Ball and socket joint

5. Functional
classification
Synarthrosis
(immovable)
like fibrous
joints
Amphiarthrosis
(slightly
movable) like
cartilaginous
joints
Diarthrosis
(freely movable)
like synovial
joints

6. Regional
classification
Skull type
(immovable)
Vertebral type
(slightly
movable)
Limb type
(Freely
movable)

7. Fibrous joints
The bones are joined by fibrous tissue
Immovable ,lacks joint cavity
Synarthrosis
present in joints of skull
In children they permit slight
Movement
 Sutural ligament
 Appear between those bones which
ossify in membranes
SUTURES

8. TYPES OF SUTURES

9. FONTANELLES
At six specific points on
the sutures in new born
skull,there are membrane
filled gaps called
“FONTANELLES”.
 They are temporary in
nature.
All these fontanelles
become bone by 18
months.

10. SYNDESMOSIS
 Surfaces of bones are
united by interosseous
ligaments
 Such ligaments persist
throughout life
 Slight amount of
movement is possible
e.g. Introsseous membranes
of the forearm
Inferior tibiofibular
joint

11. Gomphosis(peg and socket joint)
The roots of the teeth fit
in the socket of the jaw
and are united by fibrous
tissue
 Periodontal ligaments

12. CARTILAGINOUS JOINTS
A) PRIMARY
CARTILAGINOUS JOINTS
(synchondrosis or hyaline
cartilage joints)
 The bones are united by a
plate of hyaline cartilage
 Joint is immovable and strong
 Temporary in nature
 (Synostosis)
 e.g. Sphenoccipital joint
1st chondrosternal joint
Costochondral joints

13.  The articular surface are
covered by a thin layer of
hyaline cartilage& united by a
disc of fibrocartilage.
 Permanent and persist
throughout life
 Present in the median plane of
the body
 symphysis menti is a misnomer
e.g. 1 Symphysis pubis
2 menubriosternal joint
3 Intervertebral joint
B) SECONDARY CARTILAGINOUS
JOINTS
(symphyses or fibro cartilaginous
joints)

14. SYNOVIAL JOINTS
 Most evolved and
therefore, most mobile
type of joints
CHARACTERISTICS
 Articular cartilage
 Synovial fluid
 Articular capsule ,which
consist of outer fibrous
capsule &inner synovial
membrane
 Ligaments
 Articular disc or meniscus

15. COMPONENTS OF SYNOVIAL
JOINTSArticular capsule: it
consists of outer fibrous
capsule & inner synovial
membrane
Fibrous capsule:
formed by bundle of
collagen fibers
 Functions
 It binds the
articulating bones
together
 It supports the
synovial membrane
 Watch dog action

16.  Synovial membrane
It is highly vascular
and cellular connective
tissue membrane.
 Functions
Secretes synovial
fluids
Liberates hyaluronic
acid
Phagocytic activity
(Articular cartilages are
not covered by synovial
membrane)

17.  Synovial fluid :
Viscous and glairy
fluid, which fills up the
joint cavity.
It is a dialysate of blood
plasma plus a mucin
called hyaluronic acid
Functions
It maintains nutrition of
articular cartilage
It Provide lubrication of
the joint cavity

18. ARTICULAR CARTILAGE
Articular cartilage
of most joints is
hyaline except in those
bones which are
ossified in membrane
where it is fibro-
cartilage.
 Hyaline articular
cartilage is avascular,
non nervous and
elastic.
 Cartilage consists of
proteoglycan-
hyaluronic acid
aggregates.

19. Functions
Provide smooth gliding surface and
reduces friction between two bones
during movement.
Regulate the growth of epiphysis
 CHANGES IN ARTICULAR CARTILAGE WITH
AGE:-
 Degenerative changes
 Proliferative changes
Nutrition :
 Synovial fluid;
 Diffusion from capillaries;
 Diffusion from the adjacent epiphyseal
blood vessels

20.  ARTICULAR DISC OR
MENISCUS
Articular discs are
pads of fibrocartilage
interposed between the
articular surfaces of some
joints.
 Functions:
 Lubrication of the joints
 It prevents wear & tear
articular cartilages
 Acts as a ligaments to
modify certain joint
movements.

21.  LIGAMENTS:
 May be true or
accessory
 May be intra- capsular
or extra- capsular
Functions:
 Permit desirable
movements
 Maintain stability of
the joints.

22. BURSAE:
These are pouch
like sacs of connective
tissue filled with
synovial fluid
 Locations
 Functions
 Reduces friction.
 Acts as a cushion.
(Synovial tendon
sheath)

23.  FAT PADS (Haversian glands):
These are pads of fat placed
between synovial membrane and
fibrous capsule or between
synovial membrane and bone.
 It acts as a vacuum filler
e.g. Acetabular fat of hip joint
Infrapatellar fat-pad of
knee joint.

24. CLASSIFICATION OF SYNOVIAL
JOINTS
SYNOVIAL
JOINTS
ACCORDING TO
THE SHAPE OF
ARTICULAR
SURFACES
ACCORDING TO
AXIS OF
THEMOVMENTS
ACCORDING TO
NO. OF
ARTICULATING
BONES

25. ACCORDING TO THE SHAPE OF
ARTICULAR SURFACES
Plane
joints
Hinge
joints
(Ginglymi
)
Pivot
joints
(Trochoid )
Condylar
joints
Ellipsoidal
joints
Saddle
joints
Ball-
and-
socket
joints

26. ACCORDING TO
AXIS OF THE MOVMENTS
Uniaxial
joints
e.g.
Hinge joints
Pivot joints
Biaxial joints
e.g.
Condylar joints
Ellipsoid joints
Multi axial joints
e.g.
saddle joints
Ball and socket
joints

27. ACCORDING TO NO. OF
ARTICULATING BONES
Simple joints
(only two bones)
e.g.
Interphalangeal
joints
Compound joints
(more than two
bones)
e.g.
Radio carpal joint,
Ankle joint
Complex
joints
Ex.temporom
andibular
joint,
sernoclavicul
ar joint

28. PLANE SYNOVIAL JOINTS
Articular surfaces are nearly
flat
They permit gliding
movements in various
directions
Examples
 Intercarpal joints
 Intertarsal joints
 Carpometacarpal
(except first) etc…

29. HINGE JOINTS(GINGLYMI)
Articular surfaces are
pulley shaped.
Movement are
permitted in one plane
around a transverse
axis.
 Examples:
 Elbow joint
 Ankle joint
 Interphalangeal
joints

30. PIVOT (TROCHOID) JOINTS
 Articular surfaces comprise
a central bony pivot (peg)
surrounded by an
osteoligamentous ring.
 Movement are permitted in
one plane around a vertical
axis.
 Examples:
 Superior & inferor
radioulnar joints
 Median atlantoaxial joint

31. CONDYLAR(BICONDYLAR)
JOINTS
Articular surfaces includes
two distinct condyles.
It moves mainly on a
tranverse axis and partly on
a vertical axis.
Examples:
 Knee joint
(modified hinge joint)
 Temporomandibular joint

32. ELLIPSOID JOINTS
 The elliptical convex surface
of one bone articulates with
the elliptical concave surface
of another bone.
 Movements are permitted in
two directions
 Combination of movements
produces circumduction.
 Examples:
 Wrist joint
 Metacarpophalangeal joints
 Atlanto-occipital joints

33. SADDLE(SELLAR) JOINTS
Articular surfaces are
reciprocally concavoconvex.
Movements are similar to
ellipsoid joint.
Conjunct rotation is present
 Examples:
 First carpometacarpal joint
 Sternoclavicular joint ,etc..

34. BALL-AND -SOCKET(SPHEROIDAL) JOINTS
 Articular surfaces includes
a globular head fitting into
cup -shaped socket.
 Movements occur in
around indefinite number
of axes which have one
common centre.
 Examples:
 Shoulder joint
 Hip joint
 Incudostapedial joint
(smallest)

35.  TERMINOLOGY AND DEFINITION
 HUMAN KINESIOLOGY
 MALE SURFACE
 FEMALE SURFACE
 SIMPLE JOINTS
 COMPOUND JOINTS
 DEGREES OF FREEDOM
 UNIAXIAL
 BIAXIAL
 MULTI-AXIAL
 TRANSLATION
 SHAPE OF ARTICULAR SURFACE
 OVOID
 SELLAR / SADDLE- SHAPED

36. MOVEMENTS OF SYNOVIAL
JOINTS
Active movements
GLIDING
(TRANSLATION)
Sliding movement of one
articulating surface over
the other.
This movements occur in
plane joints.

37.  ANGULAR MOVEMENT
 Movements leading to
diminution or increase in
angle between two adjoining
bones.
(1) FLEXION AND
EXTENSION
Flexion means bending ,and
extension signifies
straightening.
Movements occur around
transverse axis

38. (2)ABDUCTION AND
ADDUCTION
In adduction part moves
towards the median
plane.
In abduction it deviates
away from the middle
line.
Take place around an
antero-posterior axis
Except…Carpo-metacarpal
joint of thumb

39. (3)ROTARY (CIRCULAR)
MOVEMENTS
ROTATION:-
Bone moves around a lonitudinal
axis.
 ADJUNCT ROTATION
Independent rotation
e.g. Rotations at hip, shoulder
and atlantoaxial joints
 CONJUNCT ROTATION
Rotation which accompany
other movements.
e.g. Locking and unlocking of
knee joint
Carpo-metacarpal joint of
thumb

40. CIRCUMDUCTION:-
It is a combination of four
angular movements in
successive orders
describing a cone.
It occurs in biaxial and
polyaxial joints.

41. SPECIAL ACTIVE MOVEMENTS
1. SUPINATION
2. PRONATION
3. INVERSION
4. EVERSION
5. PROTRACTION
6. RETRACTION
7. ELEVATION
8. DEPRESSION
 PASSIVE AND ACCESSORY
MOVEMENTS
The assessment of passive and
accessory movements is of diagnostic value in
muscle and joint disorders.

42.  FACTOR LIMITING THE RANGE OF
MOVEMENT
Shape of articulating bones
Reflex contraction of antagonistic muscles
Due to stimulation of mechanoreceptors in articular
tissue
Tension of ligaments
The approximation of soft parts

43.  FACTORS MAINTAINING STABILITY OF JOINTS
 Bony configuration
 Ligaments
 Muscles
 Atmospheric pressure and force of cohesion
 MECHANISM OF LUBRICATION OF SYNOVIAL JOINT
 Synovial fluid
 Hyaline cartilage
 Intra-articular fibrocartilage
 Haversian fatty pads
 Bursa

44. KINESIOLOGYKinesiology is the science
of movements and belongs
to biomechanics.
The shapes of the articular
surfaces are ovoid or
sellar(saddle shaped)
Chord
Arc
Triangle
Trigone
Evolute of the profile

45. Mechanical axis
 Spin
(1) Co-spin
(2) Anti-spin
 Swing
(1) cardinal swing
(2) Arcuate swing
Basic components
 Spin
 Sliding
 Rolling

46. JOINT POSITION
CLOSED PACKED POSITION
It is the position of joints,in which the
articular surfaces are fully congruent and have
maximum area of contact.
e.g. Temporomandibular joint –Clenched teeth
LOOSE PACKED POSITION
The position in which articular surfaces are
incongruent.
e.g. Shoulder –semiabduction

47. BLOOD SUPPLY OF SYNOVIAL
JOINTS
It is derived from the
periarticular network of
arteries (circulus
articularis vasculosus)
that surround the joint.
This network is formed
from the branches of the
arteries lying in the
vicinity of the joint.
Articular cartilages are
avascular.

48. Fibrous capsule and ligament have poor blood supply.
The synovial membrane is richly supplied by blood
 The rich vascular plexus of synovial membrane also
helps to supply nutrition to the periphery of the
articular cartilages.
 After epiphysial fusion ,communications between
circulus vasculosus and the end arteries of metaphysis
are established ,thus minimizing the chances of
osteomyelitis in the metaphysis.

49.  HILTON’S LAW
 e.g. Axillary nerve
 GARDNER’S OBSERVATION
 e.g. Inferomedial part of capsule of
hip joint
LYMPHATIC DRAINAGE OF
SYNOVIAL JOINTS
Lymphatics form a plexus in the
subintima of the synovial
membrane.

50. APPLIED ANATOMY INTERVERTEBRAL DISC PROLAPSE
 DISLOCATION OF JOINTS
 SUBLUXATION OF JOINTS
 SPRAIN
 RHEUMATIC FEVER
 ARTHRITIS
 RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS
 OSTEOARTHRITIS
 SEPTIC ARTHRITIS
 SPONDYLITIS
 INJURY TO A JOINT AND ITS STRUCTURES
 STIFNESS OF JOINTS
 NEUROPATHIC JOINTS
 ARTHROSCOPY
 ARTHROGRAPHY
 ARTHROPLASTY

51. APPLIED ANATOMY
 INTERVERTEBRAL
DISC PROLAPSE
 If disc prolapse occurs in
lumbar or sacral nerves
,there is a radiating pain in
the lowerlimb ,then the
condition is called
SCIATICA.

52. DISLOCATION OF
JOINTS
SUBLUXATION OF
JOINTS

53. SPRAIN

54. ARTHRITIS

55. SEPTIC ARTHRITIS
INTRACAPSULAR
METAPHYSIS
(BLACK AREAS)

56. SPONDYLITIS

57. INJURY TO A JOINT

58. MEDIAL MENISCUS INJURY

59. ARTHROSCOPY

60. ARTHROPLASTY