Changes

==Introduction==

==Introduction==

Joints comprise broadly two categories:

 

*'''Synarthroses''' form joints that are relatively rigid

Joints broadly comprise two categories:

*'''Diarthroses''' form joints that are freely movable

 

Joint Function:

1. '''Synarthroses'''- form joints that are relatively rigid.

*Absorb force of impact, transfer force via cartilage to bone

 

*Allow a variable degree of movement

2. '''Diarthroses'''- form joints that are freely movable.

 

Joint function is to absorb the force of impact, transfer the force via cartilage to bone and to allow a variable degree of movement.

==Fibrous Joints==

==Fibrous Joints==

[[Image: Skull sutures.jpg|thumb|right|100px|Sutures of the skull- Copyright Thegreenj]]

 

*Most occur in the skull: known as '''sutures'''

[[Image: Skull sutures.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Sutures of the skull- Copyright Thegreenj]]

**Key in development: allow extension of individual bones during growth

 

**Gradually eliminated as ossification progresses

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, very limited movement allowed

 

**Eg. Joints of the metacarpus in the horse

'''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.

*'''Gomphosis''': attachment of tooth to bone within its socket

 

'''Gomphosis'''- The attachment of tooth to bone within its socket.

<div id="Fibrocartilagenous joints">

<div id="Fibrocartilagenous joints">

==Cartilaginous Joints==

==Cartilaginous Joints==

</div>

</div>

[[Image:Grays Pelvic Symphysis.png|thumb|right|150px|Pelvic Symphysis, Gray's Anatomy - Wikimedia Commons 2008]]

[[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: the joint between the skull and '''hyoid'''

'''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, vertebral

'''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 major union between vertebrae, except first two cervical vertebrae

'''Fibrocartilagenous joints'''- Form a major union between vertebrae, except the first two cervical vertebrae.

==Synovial Joints==

==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

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.

***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

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.

***Derived from synovial membrane cells and blood plasma

 

***Normal amount in canine joint - 0.01 - 1.0 ml; possible in equine/bovine: 20-40mL

Small animals - < 3 x 10e9/L  

***Transparent to light yellow (horses)

 

***Usually very thick due to high hyaluronic acid, forms strands

Horses - < 0.5 x 10e9/L

 

***Normal protein < 25g/l (all species)

Cows - < 1 x 10e9/L

***Normal cell count: Large mononuclear cells, <12% [[Neutrophils|neutrophils]], <11% lymphocytes

 

****Small animals - < 3 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.

****Horses - < 0.5 x 10e9/L

 

****Cows - < 1 x 10e9/L

Articular cartilage covers the articular surfaces. [[Image:Normal joint cartilage.jpg|right|thumb|250px|<small><center>Normal joint cartilage (Image courtesy Bristol Biomed Image Archive)</center></small>]] 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).

*Often the synovial membrane is reinforced by a fibrous capsule and ligaments restricting joint movement and providing stability

 

**Encloses bone and muscle insertions within joint capsule

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.

**Supplied by blood vessels and nerve endings

*Articular cartilage covers the articular surfaces [[Image:Normal joint cartilage.jpg|right|thumb|150px|<small><center>Normal joint cartilage (Image courtesy Bristol Biomed Image Archive)</center></small>]]

**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 via diffusion from 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

**Limited response to injury, Little repair capacity

==Joint Movements==

==Joint Movements==

*Translation: Flat surfaces slide against each other, producing no change in orientation of their bodies

 

*Rotation: Moving bone turns on an axis perpendicular to articulation

1. '''Translation''' Flat surfaces slide against each other, producing no change in orientation of their bodies.

*Swing: Moving bone turns on an axis parallel to articulation

 

*Flexion:(aka palmar flexion) Angle between two segments of a limb is reduced

2. '''Rotation''' Moving bone turns on an axis perpendicular to articulation.

*Extension: Angle between two segments of a limb is increased

 

*Overextension: (aka dorsal flexion) Eg, Posture of equine fetlock standing at rest  

3. '''Swing''' Moving bone turns on an axis parallel to articulation.

*Adduction: Pendular movement toward the median plane

 

*Abduction: Pendular movement away from the median plane

4. '''Flexion''' (aka palmar flexion) Angle between two segments of a limb is reduced.

*Circumduction: Combination of flexion and extension that allows a limb to create a circular movement

 

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==

==Types of Joints==

*Plane Joint: describes translational movement; in reality, nonexistent, as all articular surfaces are curved

 

*Hinge Joint: movement allowed in one plane only, inhibited by collateral ligaments and/or bony protuberances (eg. elbow joint)

1. '''Plane Joint''' describes translational movement; in reality, nonexistent, as all articular surfaces are curved.

*Pivot Joint: comprises a peg fitted with a ring, movement occurs about the long axis of the peg (eg. radioulnar joint)

 

*Condylar Joint: knuckle-shaped condyles vary in distance from one another allowing uniaxial movement with limited rotation (eg.femorotibial joint)

2. '''Hinge Joint''' movement allowed in one plane only, inhibited by collateral ligaments and/or bony protuberances. (eg. elbow joint)

*Ellipsoidal Joint: ovoid convex articulation allows movement in two planes at right angles with limited rotation (eg. radiocarpal joint)

 

*Saddle Joint: also biaxial with a greater scope for rotation

3. '''Pivot Joint''' comprises a peg fitted with a ring, movement occurs about the long axis of the peg. (eg. radioulnar joint)

*Spheroidal Joint: (aka ball-and-socket) multiaxial movement allows for rotational movement in several planes (eg hip 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==

==Joint Formation==

==Links==

==Links==

*[[Joints - Pathology|Joint Pathology]]

 

Click here for information on [[Joints - Pathology|joint pathology]]

[[Category:Musculoskeletal System - Anatomy & Physiology]]

[[Category:Musculoskeletal System - Anatomy & Physiology]]

[[Category:To Do - A&P]]

[[Category:To Do - AimeeHicks]]