Know about your joints!

A Joint is the location at which the bones are connected to each other joint is also known as an “articulating surface”. The main function of a joint is to provide movements and to provide mechanical support. The movements is restricted to skull bones.

Classification of Joints

Joints are mainly classified in to three.

Structural Classification

Structural Classification divides the joints according to the type of binding tissue that connects the bone to each other.

Types of structural classification

A) Fibrous Joint

These are joint which is connected by dense regular connective tissue

B) Cartilaginous Joint
These are joints connected by cartilages

C) Synovial Joint
These are not directly joined
The bones have a synovial cavity and they are united by the dense irregular connective tissue.
That forms the articular capsule
These articular capsule are associated with accessory ligaments

Functional Classification

Joints are classified according to the type and degree of movement

A)Synarthosis
They permit little or no movements
They are mostly fibrous joints
Eg for synarthosis is a skull sutures

B) Amphiarthosis
Allows slight movements
They are mostly cartilaginous joints
Eg is intervertebral disc

C) Diarthosis
Allows free movements
They are synovial joints
Eg. Shoulder hip, knee etc.

Biomechanical Classification

A)Simple joint with 2 articulation surfaces (shoulder & hip joints are examples)
B)Compound joint with 3 or more articulation surfaces (eg. radiocarpal joint)
C)Complex joint with 2 or more articulation surface with an articular disc meniscus (Eg Knee joint)

Anatomical Classification

The joints may be classified in to two classification.

A)Articulation of hand
B) Elbow Joints
C) Wrist Joints
D)Axillary joints
E)Sternoclavicular joint
F)Vertebral articulation
G)Temporomanddibular joints
H)Sacroilliac Joints
I) Hip Joints
J) Knee Joints
K) Articulation of foots.