Structure and Function of Joints

Synostosis

A bony joint—a joint in which two bones have fused to become one

Diarthrosis

A freely movable joint

Amphiarthrosis

A slightly movable joint

Gomphosis Immovable or slightly movable Example: A tooth fitting into its socket and held there by the thin periodontal ligament

A type of syndesmosis made of a cone fitting into a socket

Interosseous Membrane Slightly movable Example: Between tibia and fibula

A type of syndesmosis made of a substantial sheet of dense irregular connective tissue

Synarthrosis

An immovable joint

Symphysis Slightly movable Example: Intervertebral joint

Joint made of a broad flat disc of fibrocartilage

Synchondrosis Immovable Example: Proximal epiphyseal plates of femur

Joint made of hyaline cartilage; becomes a synostosis when bone elongation stops

Syndesmosis Immovable or slightly movable Example: Distal tibiofibular joint

Joint made of more dense irregular connective tissue than a suture, usually a ligament

Suture Immovable or slightly movable Example: Coronal suture

Joint made of thin layer of dense irregular connective tissue

Synovial Joints

Joints that are composed of a synovial cavity, articular cartilage, and articular joint capsule May contain accessory ligaments, articular discs, and bursae

Cartilaginous Joints

Joints that have no synovial cavity Bones are connected by hyaline cartilage or fibrocartilage

Fibrous Joints

Joints that have no synovial cavity Bones are held together by dense irregular connective tissue