Joints are the structural arrangement of
tissues in such a manner that it helps in
joining the skeletal system together. They
are essential for the movement of the body.
They are the point of contact between bone
and bone or bone and cartilage. The shape
of a joint depends on its function.
What are Joints?
Joints can be defined as the point where two
or more bones join together that may or
may not show movement. It is an
articulation where the bones, teeth, and
cartilage connects together that helps in all
types of movement in the body with the
help of the force generated by the muscles.
The types and functioning of the joint
depend on its structure and the location
where it is present.
Classification of Joints
Structural Classification
Based on the type of connective tissue that
forms a joint it is classified into three types;
1. Fibrous Joint
2. Cartilaginous Joints
3. Synovial Joints
Fibrous Joints
The joints that are made of fibrous
connective tissue are called fibrous joints.
They are joined so tightly that they lack any
joint cavity and thus are generally immobile
or have a very slight movement. They can
be of three types;
1. Suture: Two or more joints in the skull
of an adult human are joined with the help
of a suture. This makes the cranium
immovable. E.g. sagittal suture, coronal
suture, etc.
2. Syndesmosis: Bones are joined with
the help of collagen fibers that keep them
close together but prevent touching each
other. E.g. Tibia-fibular joint, etc.
3. Gomphosis: It is a peg and socket type
fibrous joint. E.g. fibrous ligament joins the
root of the tooth to the socket of the gum.
Cartilaginous joints
The bones are joined by the help of hyaline
cartilages which lack any joint cavity but
provide a little degree of movement. This
type of joint is called cartilaginous joint.
This joint can be of three types;
1. Synchondrosis: It is a temporary joint
seen in large bones that helps during bone
growth but doesn’t help in movement. It is
composed of a hyaline cartilage (epiphyseal
plate) that joins the epiphysis and diaphysis.
Usually, when the bone growth stops it is
replaced by a bone. E.g. epiphyseal plate of
the humerus.
2. Symphysis: It is also called secondary
synchondrosis as it remains present even
after the bone stops growing. Here, a thin
layer of hyaline cartilage is present in
between two bones that acts as a shock
absorber and provides a point for sudden
movement. E.g. pubis symphysis.
Synovial joints
The major type of joints that is present in
our body provides a great degree of
movement. The presence of smooth hyaline
cartilage that covers the articulation point at
the end of a bone along with a thick fluid
called the synovial fluid that lubricates the
joint makes the joint movable. This point is
covered by a capsular structure to prevent
the loss of the fluid.
Characteristics of a Synovial joint
1. The cavity in the joint is filled with
synovial fluid.
2. The cavity is covered by a capsule
made of fibrous connective tissue.
3. The inner surface of the cavity is lined
by a synovial membrane.
4. The articulating ends of the bones are
covered by soft hyaline cartilage to prevent
frit ion between the bones.
5. The joint and the bone are held
together by the help of ligaments to prevent
separation.
6. Muscles are attached to the joints by
the help of tendons.
Types of Synovial Joints
1. Gliding joint: Small-sized joints that
are formed when flat or round surfaces
articulate so that one bone can slide over
the other in any possible direction. These
are the most common type of synovial
joints. E.g. between the carpals of the
wrist, tarsals of the foot, etc.
2. Hinge joint: Unidirectional joints
which move like hinges of a door. Here the
convex surface of one bone articulates with
the concave surface of another bone to
facilitate the movement. E.g. Knee joint,
elbow joint, etc.
3. Ball and Socket joint: A joint in which
the globe-like head of one bone fits into the
cup-like cavity of another bone to allow
free movement in all directions. This joint
looks like a ball and socket. E.g. Shoulder
and hip joint.
4. Pivot joint: A joint in which the
rounded head of one bone is surrounded by
a collar-like structure of another bone made
partly of bone and part of the ligament. This
type of joint only provides movement in
one direction. E.g. atlas and axis joint in
neck, etc.
5. Ellipsoid joint: Also called the
condyloid joint. It is a joint in which the
oval end of one bone fits into the depression
of another bone. The joint is surrounded by
ligaments and muscles in such a manner
that movement in two planes is possible.
E.g. joint between the metacarpals and
phalanges of fingers, the joint between the
radius and carpals of the wrist, etc.
6. Saddle joint: A joint in which the
articulating bone is shaped like a saddle and
its rider allows different types of movement
straightening, bending, side to side, and
rotation. In this joint concave area of one
bone fits with the convex area of another
bone. E.g. Joint between the trapezium and
metacarpal of the thumb.
Functional Classification
In this type of classification, the bones are
classified based on the degree of movement
allowed by the joints. It is of three types;
Synarthrosis
This type of joint is immobile and provides
a strong bond between the articulating
bones. Found in places where protection of
internal organs is required, and thus does
not provide any mobility. E.g. sutures of the
skull, syndesmosis joints, gomphosis joints,
and synchondrosis joints.
Amphiarthrosis
This type of joint shows a little degree of
movement and is made of cartilage. E.g.
joints between the vertebrae, and
symphysis.
Diarthrosis
This type of joint shows free movement to
provide maximum mobility to different
parts of the body like the synovial joints. It
is of three types;
1. Uniaxial joints: When the movement
takes place only in one plane. E.g. hinge
joint and pivot joint.
2. Biaxial joints: When the movement
takes place in two planes. E.g. ellipsoid
joint, and saddle joint.
3. Multiaxial joints: When the movement
takes place in many planes. E.g. gliding
joint, and ball and socket joint.
