Joints - Fibrous, Cartilaginous, Synovial

Cartilaginous Joints

Similar to fibrous joints in two ways: 1) They do not have a joint cavity 2) They are virtually immovable Hyaline cartilage or fibrocartilage unites these joints.

Symphysis (Cartilaginous)

A slightly movable joint. The bones in this joint are separated by a pad of fibrocartilage. The ends of the bones contain hyaline cartilage. A symphysis joint is designed for strength and shock absorbancy. The joint between the two pubic bones (pubic symphysis) is an example. Another example is the joint between each vertebral body. These joints all contain a fibrocartilage pad or disk.

Gomphosis (Fibrous)

An immovable joint occurring only in the roots of the teeth. The roots of the teeth that lie in the alveolar sockets are held in place by the fibrous periodontal ligaments.

Suture (Fibrous)

An immovable joint occurring only in the skull. In this joint, the interlocking bones are held tightly together by strong connective tissues. The sutures of the skull are an example.

Synchondrosis (Cartilaginous)

An immovable joint. This joint contains a rigid cartilage that unites two bones. An example is the epiphyseal plate found between the epiphysis and diaphysis of a growing long bone. Before adult-hood, these joints consist of rigid hyaline cartilage that unites two bones. When growth stops, the cartilage ossifies, making this type of joint a temporary joint.

Syndesmosis (Fibrous)

An immovable joints or slightly movable joint united by sheets of fibrous tissue. The inferior tibiofibular joint is an example.

Ellipsoid or condyloid (synovial)

Biaxial movement, primary. An ellipsoid joint permits movement in two directions at right angles to each other. The radiocarpal joint of the wrist is an example. Flexion and extension occur, along with abduction and adduction. Circumduction, a combination of both movements, can also occur.

Saddle or Sellar (synovial)

Biaxial movement. This joint permits movement in two axes, similar to the ellipsoid joint. Named because the articular surface of one bone is saddle shaped, and the articular surface of the other bone is shaped like a rider sitting in a saddle. The carpometacarpal joint between the trapezium and the first metacarpal is only saddle joint in the body. The face of each bone has a concave and a convex aspect. The opposing bones are shaped in a manner that allows side-to-side and up-and-down movement.

Fibrous Joints

Do not have a joint cavity. They are united by various fibrous and connective tissues or ligaments. These are the strongest joint in the body because they are virtually immovable.

Synovial Joints

Freely movable. These joints are the most complex joints of the body.

Ball and Socket or Spheroid

Multiaxial movement. This joint permits movement in many axes, including flexion and extension, abduction and adduction, circumduction, and rotation. In a ball-and-socket joint, the round head of one bones rests within the cup-shaped depression of the other bone. The hip and the shoulder are examples.

Hinge or Ginglymus (synovial)

Uniaxial movement. A hinge joint permits only flexion and extension. The motion is similar to that of a door. The elbow, knee, and ankle are examples of this type of joint.

Pivot or Trochoid (synovial)

Uniaxial movement. These joints allow only rotation around a single axis. A rounded or pointed surface of one bone articulates within a ring formed partially by the other bone. An example is the articulation of the atlas and axis of the cervical spine. The atlas rotates around the dens of the axis and allows the head to rotate to either side.

Gliding or Plane (synovial)

Uniaxial movement. This is the simplest synovial joint. Joints of this type permits slight movement. They have flattened or slightly curved surfaces, and most glide slightly in only one axis. The intercarpal and intertarsal joints of the wrist and foot are examples of gliding joints.