Arthrology

• General Arthrology
• Specific Arthrology (selected joint)
• Clinical aspect
Definition- arthrology is the scientific
study of joints/articulations ~ where
rigid elements of the skeleton meet.

Classification of joints:
A) Classification based on function
B) Classification based on structure
Classification based on function
 Focuses on the amount of movement allowed.
1. SYNARTHROSES ~ Immovable joints (e.g. sutures)
2. AMPHIARTHROSES ~ Slightly movable joints
(fibrous connection) (e.g. intervetebral discs)
3. DIARTHROSES ~ Freely movable joints (synovial)

 Synarthroses and amphiarthroses are largely

restricted to the axial skeleton
 Diarthroses predominate in the appendicular
skeleton
Classification based on structure
 Focuses on the material that binds the joint
together.
 Based on the material that binds the bones
together, and on the presence or absence of joint
cavity.
1. Fibrous joints
2. Cartilaginous joints
3. Synovial joints
1. Fibrous joints
 Bones connected by fibrous tissue
 Sutures
 Syndesmoses ~ interosseous ligament/membane
 Gomphoses ~ periodontal ligament

2. Cartilaginous joints
 The bones are united by cartilage
 Synchondrosis (hyaline cartilage unites the bones)
 Symphyses (fibrocartilage unites the bones)
Gomphosis
Anulus fibrosus Nucleus pulposus
3. Synovial joints
 Most movable joint
 There is a joint cavity (synovial cavity & fluid)
 The basic structure
 articular cartilage: hyaline; spongy cushions absorb
compression.
 articular capsule: encloses the joint cavity; 2 layered
(fibrous outside, continuous to the periosteum and
synovial membrane inside)
 Synovial membrane: produce the synovial fluid
(filtrate of blood; contains of glycoprotein)
 Reinforcing ligaments
 Neurovascular bundle
 The accessory structure
 Pad of cartilage of fat, e.g. meniscus, articular disk,
fat pad, articular labrum.
 Ligaments: extracapsular, intracapsular ligaments.
 Tendons
 Bursae
 Based on the articulating surfaces:
 Simple joint (2 surfaces) and compound joint (>2)

Quiz:
 Discuss the functions and the weeping
lubrication mechanism of synovial fluid!
TYPES OF MOVEMENTS

 Movement caused by muscular contraction.

 3 Types of movements:
 Linear motion (gliding) ~ sliding of flat surfaces
across each other, rotation is usually prevented by the
capsule and ligaments.
 Angular motion ~ increase or decreases the angle
between the two bones, e.g. abduction, adduction,
flexion, extension.
 Rotation – movement of bone around its long axis,
e.g. left/right rotation, supination, pronation.
 Special movements:
 Eversion x inversion
 Dorsiflexion x plantar flexion
 Lateral version
 Protraction x retraction
 Opposition x reposition
 Elevation x depression.

Quiz:
 Demonstrate each type of movements in your
group discussion!
 SYNOVIAL JOINTS ARE CLASSIFIED
BY SHAPE
 Plane/planar/gliding – flat articular surfaces.
Short gliding movements are allowed. May be
nonaxial or multiaxial.
 Condylar/ellipsoidal – egg shaped articular
surface fits into the oval concavity in another;
biaxial joint.
 Saddle Joint – has both convex and concave areas;
biaxial joint; angular motion without rotation.
 Hinge – cylindrical end of one bone fits into the
trough of another bone. Angular movement is in
one plane. Monoaxial joint along one plane.
 Pivot – rounded end of one fits into a ring formed
by another bone. Monoaxial which permit only
rotation.
 Ball and Socket – spherical head of one bone fits
into a round socket in another; triaxial joint.
 Selected joints

• Shoulder joint
• Hip joint
• Knee joint
The Shoulder joint (glenohumeral)
 Composition: caput humeri os humeri and the
cavitas glenoidalis of the scapula
 Ball-socket joint; the most movable joint in the body
(module task); supported and stabilized by
collective muscles called rotator cuff consists of
m.subscapularis, m.supraspinatus, m.infraspinatus,
and m.teres minor
 Tendon of caput longum m.biceps brachii passes
inside the capsule to attach to the tuberculum
supraglenoidalis of the scapula; covered by synovial
tendon sheath to minimize friction.
 Specific structures:
 Ligaments

 Labrum glenoidalis: fibrocartilage border to

deepen the fossa glenoidalis

 Bursae: aid capsule mobility; formed by the
synovial membrane.
The hip joint
(acetabulofemoralis/coxae)
 Composition: femur-pelvis
 Ball-socket joint; movement (module task)
 Specific structure:
 Acetabular labrum: fibrocartilage pad; deepen
acetabulum
 Ligaments
The knee joint (genu)
 Composition: femur, tibia, patella (compound joint)
 Hinge joint with slight medial-lateral rotation
 Consists of 3 separate joint: femur-tibia (lateral),
femur-tibia (medial), femur-patella  there is no
single unified capsule.
 Specific structures:
 Meniscus: medial-lateral fibrocartilage pad

 Act as cushions; conform the shape of articulating

surface; lateral stability to the joint.
 Fat pad: suprapatellar, infrapatellar
 Several bursae: suprapatellar (largest)
Specific stuctures (cont’d)
 Ligaments

 Intracapsular
ligaments
 Extracapsular
ligaments
 Clinical aspects
 Hypermobility joint
 Female>male; female hormones > flexible
 May be non-pathogenic polymorphism;
minor variation in extracellular matrix
genes such as collagen, elastin, fibrilin
 Could be followed by other symptoms or
medical condition (hypermobility synd.):
 Ehlers-Danlos syndrome: unstable joint that
are prone to sprain, dislocation, injury, easy
bruising and stretching skin, myalgia,
arthralgia
 Cause: Defect synthesis of collagen  loose
and stretch connective tissue
 Autosomal dominant/autosomal recessive