Anatomy of a Joint

Joints are the areas the place 2 or extra bones meet. Most joints are cell, permitting the bones to maneuver. Joints include the next:

Cartilage. It is a kind of tissue that covers the floor of a bone at a joint. Cartilage helps scale back the friction of motion inside a joint.

Synovial membrane. A tissue referred to as the synovial membrane traces the joint and seals it right into a joint capsule. The synovial membrane secretes a transparent, sticky fluid (synovial fluid) across the joint to lubricate it.

Ligaments. Sturdy ligaments (powerful, elastic bands of connective tissue) encompass the joint to offer help and restrict the joint’s motion. Ligaments join bones collectively.

Tendons. Tendons (one other kind of powerful connective tissue) on all sides of a joint connect to muscle tissues that management motion of the joint. Tendons join muscle tissues to bones.

Bursas. Fluid-filled sacs, referred to as bursas, between bones, ligaments, or different close by constructions. They assist cushion the friction in a joint.

Synovial fluid. A transparent, thick fluid secreted by the synovial membrane.

Meniscus. It is a curved a part of cartilage within the knees and different joints.

What are the various kinds of joints?

There are lots of forms of joints, together with joints that don’t transfer in adults, such because the suture joints within the cranium. Joints that don’t transfer are referred to as fastened. Different joints could transfer just a little, such because the vertebrae. Examples of cell joints embrace the next:

Ball-and-socket joints. Ball-and-socket joints, such because the shoulder and hip joints, permit backward, ahead, sideways, and rotating actions.

Hinge joints. Hinge joints, equivalent to within the fingers, knees, elbows, and toes, permit solely bending and straightening actions.

Pivot joints. Pivot joints, such because the neck joints, permit restricted rotating actions.

Ellipsoidal joints. Ellipsoidal joints, such because the wrist joint, permit all forms of motion besides pivotal actions.

On-line Medical Reviewer:
Dan Brennan MD

On-line Medical Reviewer:
Diane Horowitz MD

On-line Medical Reviewer:
Raymond Kent Turley BSN MSN RN

Date Final Reviewed:
3/1/2023