Question

1. Name and describe the types of synovial joints. What is a fibrous joint. List and explain.

Answer 1

Synovial joints

Joint capsule between articulate bones, containing synovial fluid; extensive movement.

Types - Condyloid, Hinge, Pivot, Saddle, Ball & Socket, Gliding.

● Gliding

Synovial joint: Flattened or slightly curved articulating surfaces; sliding movement; e.g. intercarpal and intertarsal joints.

● Hinge

Synovial joint: Concave surface of one bone articulates with a depression of another; bending motion in one plane; e.g. elbow, joints of digits.

● Pivot

Synovial joint: Conical surface of one bone articulates with a depression of another; rotation about a central axis rotational movement; e.g. proximal radioulnar joint.

● Condyloid

Synovial joint: Oval condyle of one bone articulates with elliptical cavity of another; biaxial movement; e.g. wrist.

● Saddle

Synovial joint: Concave and convex surface on each articulating bone; wide range of movement; biaxial movement; e.g. carpometacarpal joint at base of thumb.

● Ball and Socket

Synovial joint: Rounded convex surface of one bone articulates with cuplike socket of another; movement in all planes and rotation; e.g. hip joints and shoulder joints.

Fibrous joints: The bones are held together by dense connective tissue that is rich in collagen fibers, and there is no synovial cavity.

Three types of fibrous joints are: sutures (found in skull), syndesmoses (held by ligaments) fibula and tibia, and gomphoses peg in socket (periodontal ligament) holds teeth in socket.