Difference between revisions of "Joints - Anatomy & Physiology"

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<big><center>[[Musculoskeletal System - Anatomy & Physiology|'''BACK TO MUSCULOSKELETAL ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY''']]</center></big>
==Introduction==
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Joints comprise broadly two categories:
[[Image:Aspinall Slide2.JPG|thumb|right|250px|<small>Image from [http://www.elsevierhealth.co.uk/veterinary-nursing/spe-60136/ Aspinall, The Complete Textbook of Veterinary Nursing], Elsevier Health Sciences, ''All rights reserved''</small>]]
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*'''Synarthroses''' form joints that are relatively rigid
Joints broadly comprise two categories:
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*'''Diarthroses''' form joints that are freely movable
 +
Joint Function:
 +
*Absorb force of impact, transfer force via cartilage to bone
 +
*Allow a variable degree of movement
  
1. '''Synarthroses'''- form joints that are relatively rigid.
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=='''Fibrous Joints'''==
 +
*Most occur in the skull: known as '''sutures'''
 +
**Key in development: allow extension of individual bones during growth
 +
**Gradually eliminated as ossification progresses
 +
*'''Syndesmoses''': facing areas of two bones joined by connective tissue ligaments, very limited movement allowed
 +
**Eg. Joints of the metacarpus in the horse
 +
*'''Gomphosis''': attachment of tooth to bone within its socket
  
2. '''Diarthroses'''- form joints that are freely movable.
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=='''Cartilaginous Joints'''==
 +
*'''Synchondroses''': eg. joints between epiphyses and diaphyses of juvenile long bones, disappear on maturity
 +
**Permanent synchondroses: the joint between the skull and '''hyoid'''
 +
*'''Symphysis''': articulating bones are divided by a succession of tissues, with cartilage covering the bones or the tissue between
 +
**Eg. mandibular, pelvic, vertebral
 +
**Fibrocartilagenous joints
 +
***Form major union between vertebrae, except first two cervical vertebrae
 +
***''Nucleus pulposus'' is position eccentrically within ''annulus fibrosis''
 +
***Vertebrae in thoracic region have '''conjugal ligaments'''
 +
****Extend from rib to rib on opposite sides
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****Strenghten the area over the discs
  
Joint function is to absorb the force of impact, transfer the force via cartilage to bone and to allow a variable degree of movement.
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=='''Synovial Joints'''==
 +
*Articulating joints are separated by a fluid-filled joint cavity, which is bounded by a synovial membrane
 +
**Synovial membrane: pink connective tissue sheet, vascular and sensitive
 +
***Can be unsupported (membrane may pouch, allowing remote access), resting on an outer fibrous capsule, or separated from capsule by pads of fat
 +
***No continuous covering of cells
 +
***Where cells exist, they produce lubricant (aminoglycans) of synovial fluid
 +
**Synovial fluid: Nourishes and lubricates [[Joints - normal#Articular cartilage|articular cartilage]]
 +
***Derived from synovial membrane cells and blood plasma
 +
***Normal amount in canine joint - 0.01 - 1.0 ml; possible in equine/bovine: 20-40mL
 +
***Transparent to light yellow (horses)
 +
***Usually very thick due to high hyaluronic acid, forms strands
 +
***Windrowing of cells on smear
 +
***Normal protein < 25g/l (all species)
 +
***Normal cell count: Large mononuclear cells, <12% neutrophils, <11% lymphocytes
 +
****Small animals - < 3 x 10e9/L
 +
****Horses - < 0.5 x 10e9/L
 +
****Cows - < 1 x 10e9/L
 +
*Often the synovial membrane is reinforced by a fibrous capsule and ligaments restricting joint movement and providing stability
 +
**Outer fibrous layer
 +
***Encloses bone and muscle insertions within joint capsule
 +
***Supplied by blood vessels and nerve endings
 +
**Inner synovial layer
 +
***Covers surfeces except for [[Joints - normal#Articular cartilage|articular cartilage]]
 +
***Very thin
 +
***Has surface projections - villi
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*Articular cartilage covers the articular surfaces
 +
**Usually, this is [[Bones and Cartilage - Anatomy & Physiology#Structure and Function of Cartilage|Hyaline]], although [[Bones and Cartilage - Anatomy & Physiology#Structure and Function of Cartilage|Fibrocartilage]] or fibrous tissue can substitute
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[[Image:Normal joint cartilage.jpg|right|thumb|100px|<small><center>Normal joint cartilage (Image sourced from Bristol Biomed Image Archive with permission)</center></small>]]
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**Articular cartilage is avascular and insensitive
 +
***Nutrients via diffusion from synovial fluid and nearby vessels (adjoining tissue and marrow cavities)
  
==Fibrous Joints==
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**Limited response to injury, Little repair capacity
  
[[Image: Skull sutures.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Sutures of the skull- Copyright Thegreenj]]
 
  
Most fibrous joints occur in the skull, known as '''sutures'''. They are key in development as they allow the extension of individual bones during growth. They are gradually eliminated as ossification progresses.
 
  
'''Syndesmoses'''- Facing areas of two bones, joined by connective tissue ligaments. They have very limited movement allowed, eg. joints of the metacarpus in the horse.
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*In large animals - normal bilaterally symmetrical depressions on the surface
 
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*Obtains nutrition from [[Joints - normal#Synovial fluid|synovial fluid]] and less so from subchondral vessels
'''Gomphosis'''- The attachment of tooth to bone within its socket.
+
Microscopically, surface has depressions - for synovial fluid?
 
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*In young animals overlies [[Bones - normal#Bone development|epiphyseal cartilage]]
<div id="Fibrocartilagenous joints">
 
 
 
==Cartilaginous Joints==
 
</div>
 
[[Image:Grays Pelvic Symphysis.png|thumb|right|250px|Pelvic Symphysis, Gray's Anatomy - Wikimedia Commons 2008]]
 
 
 
'''Synchondroses''', eg. joints between epiphyses and diaphyses of juvenile long bones, disappear on maturity. Permanent synchondroses include the joint between the skull and the hyoid.
 
 
 
'''Symphysis'''- Articulating bones are divided by a succession of tissues, with cartilage covering the bones or the tissue between, eg. mandibular, pelvic and vertebral.
 
 
 
'''Fibrocartilagenous joints'''- Form a major union between vertebrae, except the first two cervical vertebrae.
 
 
 
==Synovial Joints==
 
[[Image:Normal joint cartilage.jpg|right|thumb|250px|<small><center>Normal joint cartilage (Image courtesy Bristol Biomed Image Archive)</center></small>]]
 
Articulating joints are separated by a fluid-filled joint cavity, which is bounded by a synovial membrane. A synovial membrane is a pink connective tissue sheet that is vascular and sensitive. It can be unsupported, (membrane may pouch, allowing remote access), resting on an outer fibrous capsule, or separated from the capsule by pads of fat. There is no continuous covering of cells. Where cells exist, they produce lubricant (aminoglycans) of synovial fluid.
 
 
 
===Synovial fluid===
 
 
 
Synovial fluid nourishes and lubricates the articular cartilage. It is derived from synovial membrane cells and blood plasma. The normal amount in the canine joint is - 0.01 - 1.0 ml. It is possible in equine/bovine joints to find  20-40ml. It is transparent to light yellow (horses) and is usually very thick, due to high hyaluronic acid. :The normal protein is < 25g/l (all species)
 
:The normal cell count is: large mononuclear cells, <12% [[Neutrophils|neutrophils]], <11% lymphocytes.
 
::Small animals - < 3 x 10e9/L
 
::Horses - < 0.5 x 10e9/L
 
::Cows - < 1 x 10e9/L
 
 
 
Often the synovial membrane is reinforced by a fibrous capsule and ligaments. This restricts joint movement and provides stability. It encloses bone and muscle insertions within the joint capsule and is supplied by blood vessels and nerve endings.
 
 
 
Articular cartilage covers the articular surfaces. Usually, this is [[Cartilage - Anatomy & Physiology#Structure and Function of Cartilage|hyaline]], although [[Cartilage - Anatomy & Physiology#Structure and Function of Cartilage|fibrocartilage]] or fibrous tissue can substitute. Articular cartilage is avascular and insensitive, nutrients enter via diffusion from the synovial fluid and nearby vessels (adjoining tissue and marrow cavities).
 
 
 
Some joints possess intracapsular '''discs''' or '''menisci''' to provide congruence and enable complicated movements, eg. temperomandibular joint, paired menisci of the stifle joint. There is limited response to injury and little repair capacity.
 
 
 
==Joint Movements==
 
 
 
1. '''Translation''' Flat surfaces slide against each other, producing no change in orientation of their bodies
 
 
 
2. '''Rotation''' - Moving bone turns on an axis perpendicular to articulation
 
 
 
3. '''Swing''' - Moving bone turns on an axis parallel to articulation
 
 
 
4. '''Flexion''' (aka palmar flexion) - Angle between two segments of a limb is reduced
 
 
 
5. '''Extension''' - Angle between two segments of a limb is increased
 
 
 
6. '''Overextension''' (aka dorsal flexion) - eg. posture of equine fetlock standing at rest
 
 
7. '''Adduction''' - Pendular movement toward the median plane
 
 
 
8. '''Abduction''' - Pendular movement away from the median plane
 
 
 
9. '''Circumduction''' Combination of flexion and extension that allows a limb to create a circular movement
 
 
 
==Types of Joints==
 
 
 
1. '''Plane Joint''' describes translational movement; in reality, nonexistent, as all articular surfaces are curved
 
 
 
2. '''Hinge Joint''' movement allowed in one plane only, inhibited by collateral ligaments and/or bony protuberances (eg. elbow joint)
 
 
 
3. '''Pivot Joint''' comprises a peg fitted with a ring, movement occurs about the long axis of the peg (eg. radioulnar joint)
 
 
 
4. '''Condylar Joint''' knuckle-shaped condyles vary in distance from one another allowing uniaxial movement with limited rotation (eg.femorotibial joint)
 
 
 
5. '''Ellipsoidal Joint''' ovoid convex articulation, allows movement in two planes at right angles with limited rotation (eg. radiocarpal joint)
 
 
 
6. '''Saddle Joint''' also biaxial with a greater scope for rotation
 
 
 
7. '''Spheroidal Joint''' (aka ball-and-socket) multiaxial movement allows for rotational movement in several planes (eg hip joint)
 
 
 
==Joint Formation==
 
 
 
Joints begin to form as the mesenchyme is condensing. Joint-forming cells develop different characteristics to cartilage precursors, they are flat and densely packed. The region where these joint-forming cells exist is called the "interzone". There are three layers in the interzone, a middle layer of low density with regions of high density either side. The high density regions form cartilage. The middle layer is eliminated by cell death, forming the joint space.
 
  
 
==Links==
 
==Links==
 
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*[[Joints|Joint Pathology]]
Click here for information on [[:Category:Joints - Pathology|joint pathology]]
 
 
 
{{OpenPages}}
 
[[Category:Musculoskeletal System - Anatomy & Physiology]]
 
[[Category:A&P Done]]
 

Revision as of 11:38, 18 July 2008

BACK TO MUSCULOSKELETAL ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY

Joints comprise broadly two categories:

  • Synarthroses form joints that are relatively rigid
  • Diarthroses form joints that are freely movable

Joint Function:

  • Absorb force of impact, transfer force via cartilage to bone
  • Allow a variable degree of movement

Fibrous Joints

  • Most occur in the skull: known as sutures
    • Key in development: allow extension of individual bones during growth
    • Gradually eliminated as ossification progresses
  • Syndesmoses: facing areas of two bones joined by connective tissue ligaments, very limited movement allowed
    • Eg. Joints of the metacarpus in the horse
  • Gomphosis: attachment of tooth to bone within its socket

Cartilaginous Joints

  • Synchondroses: eg. joints between epiphyses and diaphyses of juvenile long bones, disappear on maturity
    • Permanent synchondroses: the joint between the skull and hyoid
  • Symphysis: articulating bones are divided by a succession of tissues, with cartilage covering the bones or the tissue between
    • Eg. mandibular, pelvic, vertebral
    • Fibrocartilagenous joints
      • Form major union between vertebrae, except first two cervical vertebrae
      • Nucleus pulposus is position eccentrically within annulus fibrosis
      • Vertebrae in thoracic region have conjugal ligaments
        • Extend from rib to rib on opposite sides
        • Strenghten the area over the discs

Synovial Joints

  • Articulating joints are separated by a fluid-filled joint cavity, which is bounded by a synovial membrane
    • Synovial membrane: pink connective tissue sheet, vascular and sensitive
      • Can be unsupported (membrane may pouch, allowing remote access), resting on an outer fibrous capsule, or separated from capsule by pads of fat
      • No continuous covering of cells
      • Where cells exist, they produce lubricant (aminoglycans) of synovial fluid
    • Synovial fluid: Nourishes and lubricates articular cartilage
      • Derived from synovial membrane cells and blood plasma
      • Normal amount in canine joint - 0.01 - 1.0 ml; possible in equine/bovine: 20-40mL
      • Transparent to light yellow (horses)
      • Usually very thick due to high hyaluronic acid, forms strands
      • Windrowing of cells on smear
      • Normal protein < 25g/l (all species)
      • Normal cell count: Large mononuclear cells, <12% neutrophils, <11% lymphocytes
        • Small animals - < 3 x 10e9/L
        • Horses - < 0.5 x 10e9/L
        • Cows - < 1 x 10e9/L
  • Often the synovial membrane is reinforced by a fibrous capsule and ligaments restricting joint movement and providing stability
    • Outer fibrous layer
      • Encloses bone and muscle insertions within joint capsule
      • Supplied by blood vessels and nerve endings
    • Inner synovial layer
  • Articular cartilage covers the articular surfaces
Normal joint cartilage (Image sourced from Bristol Biomed Image Archive with permission)
    • Articular cartilage is avascular and insensitive
      • Nutrients via diffusion from synovial fluid and nearby vessels (adjoining tissue and marrow cavities)
    • Limited response to injury, Little repair capacity


  • In large animals - normal bilaterally symmetrical depressions on the surface
  • Obtains nutrition from synovial fluid and less so from subchondral vessels

Microscopically, surface has depressions - for synovial fluid?

Links