Skeletal system Joints
This article is designed and produced with the massage therapist that would like to review or is getting ready to take their national certification test.
The types of joint classifications are synarthrosis, Ampharthorosis, and Diarthorosis. Synarthrosis is the type of joint in which fibrous connective tissue grows between the articulating or joining bones holding them close together. The least movable of these joints are called sutures. Ampharthorosis is the type of joint in which cartilage connects articulating bones together, an example of this would be slightly movable joints like the pubic sysmphosis. The most movable types of joints are the Diarthorosis joints which all have in common are joint capsules, a joint cavity, and a layer of cartilage.
The strongest and toughest material of the body that makes the joint capsules of diarthrotic joints is called fibrous connective tissue.
Ligaments grow out of the periosteum and lash two bones together. Articulating cartilage lays over the joint ends of bones and absorbs jolts.
The synovial membrane secretes a lubricating fluid called synovial fluid that allows easier movement with less friction at a joint.
Diarthrotic joints are the ball and socket, hinge, pivot, saddle, gliding, and the condyloid. The type of diarthrotic joint that allows for the widest range of movement is the ball and socket. The hinge joint is the type of diarthrotic joint that allows movements in only two directions (flexion and extension). The pivot joint is the type of joint found between C1 & C2 (atlas and axis) that allows the head to rotate. The saddle joint is the type of joint that allows for great mobility ( flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, circumduction, and opposition). The gliding joint is the type of joint that involves a condyle ( a oval projection) to fit into a elliptical socket. An example of a ball and socket joint would be the shoulder and hip joints. An example of a hinge joint would be the elbow and knee. An example of a pivot joint would atlas and axis. An example of a saddle joint would the thumbs. An example of a gliding joint would be the vertebrae, and finally an example of a condyloid joint would be the radius and carpal bones.
