Types of joints

Types of joints

Joints are  essential for all types of movements performed by the bony parts of the body.  The joints are points of contact (Figure 9.13) between bones.

Sometimes they are playing a protective role in the process. Force generated by the muscles are used to carry out the movement through joints which helps human functional activity of daily living and ambulation. The joint acts as a fulcrum of a lever.

(i)             Fibrous joints or Synarthroses: They are immovable fixed joints in which no movement between the bones is possible. Sutures of the flat skull bones are fibrous joints.

(ii)          Cartilaginous joints or Amphiarthroses: They are slightly movable joints in which the joint surfaces are separated by a cartilage and slight movement is only possible. E.g., Joints of adjacent vertebrae of the vertebral column.

(iii)        Synovial joints or Diarthroses joints: They are freely movable joints, the articulating bones are seperated by a cavity which is filledwith synovial fluid. E.g., Pivot joint – between atlas and axis Plane/gliding joint – between the carpals Saddle joint – between the carpal and metacarpal

Ball and socket joint – between humerus and pectoral girdle

Hinge joint – knee joint

Condyloid or Angular or Ellipsoid – joint between radius and carpal