Joint Name

In general, a joint refers to a point at which two or more things are connected to one another. In this case, it is the point at which two bones come together to form a single bone. A joint is an articulation, or, to put it another way, a strong connection that connects the bones, teeth, and cartilage of a person’s body. It is required for all types of movement in the body that involves the bones, including walking and running. When muscles contract, they generate force, which is used to propel the body through its various joints. Multiple factors influence the degree and ease with which joints can move at different points in the body. They could be divided into two groups based on two different criteria.

Classification of Joints

Structural classification of joints

Joints are classified into three types, according to the structural classification of joints, which are as follows:

Fibrous Joints

Fixed joints, also known as immovable joints, are found in places where the bones are not able to move. Bones have been fused together in such a way that they are permanently attached to a particular part of the body, most commonly to form a structure in such joints. The skull, which is comprised of a number of fused bones, is a prominent example of a fixed joint in the body.

Examples of other bones include the upper jaw, rib cage, spine, and pelvic bone, to name a few.

Cartilaginous Joints

Cartilaginous joints are partially movable joints composed of symphysis or synchondrosis joints that are connected by ligaments. These joints can only be found in those areas of the body where cartilage serves as the connecting tissue between the articulating bones. Temporary cartilaginous joints, or synchondrosis, are cartilaginous joints that appear in young children and last until the end of puberty.

Examples include the epiphyseal plates found at each end of the long bones in children, which are responsible for bone growth in these young people. The symphysis, also known as the secondary cartilaginous joints (the point at which two bones come together), is a permanent joint. For example, the pubic symphysis is a type of joint. The spinal column and the ribcage are two other examples of cartilaginous joints that can be found in the body.

Synovial Joints

The synovial joints are the most common type of joint because they allow us to move through a wide range of motions such as walking, running, typing, and other activities like these. Synovial joints are flexible, movable, can slide over one another, are rotatable, and have other characteristics as well. These joints can be found in our shoulder joint, neck joint, knee joint, wrist joint, and many other places in our bodies.

Functional classification of joints

The type and degree of movement permitted by a joint are used to classify it as functional or nonfunctional. Depending on the type and extent of movement that is permitted. There are six different types of freely movable joints, each of which is described below with an example:

Ball and Socket Joints

One bone is hooked into the hollow space of another bone in this arrangement. Rotary movement is made possible by this type of joint. The shoulders are a good example of a ball and socket joint.

Pivotal Joints

When one bone has tapped into the other in this manner, full rotation of the joint is not possible. This joint facilitates movement in both the sideways and back-and-forth directions. A pivotal joint in the neck is illustrated in this illustration.

Hinge Joints

Hinge joints are similar to door hinges in that they only allow for back and forth movement of the joint. Ankle, elbow, and knee joints are all examples of hinge joints in the body.

Saddle Joints

The saddle joint is a biaxial joint that allows movement in two planes: flexion/extension and abduction/adduction. It is located at the base of the spine. In the human body, the thumb, for example, is the only bone that has a saddle joint, which is unique.

Condyloid Joints

Condyloid joints are the joints that have two axes and allow for both up-and-down and side-to-side motions to be performed. It is possible to find condyloid joints at the base of the index finger, on the carpals of the wrist, on the elbow, and on the wrist joints themselves. This joint is also referred to as a condylar joint or an ellipsoid joint in some circles.

Gliding Joints

Gliding joints are a type of synovial joint that is very common. It is also referred to as a plane joint or a planar joint. This joint allows two or more round or flat bones to move freely together without any rubbing or crushing of bones as they move together. This joint is primarily found in the areas where the two bones come together and glide over one another in any direction they choose. The lower leg to ankle joint and the forearm to wrist joint are the two most common examples of gliding joints, respectively.

Conclusion

Joint definition: A structural connection between two or more adjacent elements of the skeletal system in human anatomy. One of the skeletal system’s most important connections is the joint, which may also be known as an articulation or articular surface, which connects bones together. The ability to move is provided by the joints. The degree and type of movement of a joint are determined by the type and characteristics of that joint. Joints can be classified based on their structural and functional characteristics.