Support and Movement
Unit 13: Joints
Unit outline
Joints
Part 1: Overview and Classification of Joints
- Structural features of synovial joints
- Additional structures associated with synovial joints
- Types of synovial joints
Practice Questions
Learning Objectives
At the end of this unit, you should be able to:
I. Explain what is meant by the terms synarthrotic, diarthrotic, and amphiarthrotic as descriptions of the functional classes of joints.
II. Describe the structures, classifications, functions, and locations of the various types of joints in the human body.
III. Describe the structure of a synovial joint and using the knee joint as an example, specify the functions of each component.
IV. Describe the movements allowed by synovial joints and specify examples of each.
V. Describe the structures and movements allowed by each type of synovial joint and also specify an example of each in the human body.
Learning Objectives and Guiding Questions
At the end of this unit, you should be able to complete all the following tasks, including answering the guiding questions associated with each task.
I. Explain what is meant by the terms synarthrotic, diarthrotic, and amphiarthrotic as descriptions of the functional classes of joints.
- Define each of the following terms:
- Synarthrotic joint
- Diarthrotic joint
- Amphiarthrotic joint
II. Describe the structures, classifications, functions, and locations of the various types of joints in the human body.
- For each of the following types of joints, describe its structure (specific material found between the articulating bones), classification as a fibrous, cartilaginous, or synovial joint (based on the material found between the articulating bones), its function (movements allowed), and one specific location in the human body where it is found (between which two specific named bones):
- Suture
- Syndesmosis
- Gomphosis
- Synchondrosis
- Symphysis
- Synovial joint
III. Describe the structure of a synovial joint and using the knee joint as an example, specify the functions of each component.
- Draw a fully-annotated diagram showing the detailed structure of a human knee joint, including each of the following structures:
- Articular capsule
- Synovial membrane
- Synovial cavity
- Synovial fluid
- Articular cartilage
- Ligaments
- Tendons
- Meniscus
- Bursa
- Describe the function of each of the following structures:
- Articular capsule
- Synovial membrane
- Synovial cavity
- Synovial fluid
- Articular cartilage
- Ligaments
- Tendons
- Meniscus
- Bursa
- Compare and contrast the structure and function of synovial capsules and bursae.
IV. Describe the movements allowed by synovial joints and specify examples of each.
- Using complete sentences, describe and provide one example of each of the following movements, including the names of the structure(s) that move in relation to each other:
- Gliding movement
- Angular movement
- Rotation
- Circumduction
V. Describe the structures and movements allowed by each