Joints

1. Joints A joint is a place where two bones meet

2. Joint types Fixed Joints - consist of bones so close together that no movement occurs egin the skull. Slightly moveable joints – allow some movement due to the soft and flexible cartilage between the bones that hold them together eg spinal vertebrae with discs

3. Synovial joints Gliding or sliding joints are made up of many small bones that allow up and down and around movement eg hands and feet. Hinge joints allow movement in one way only – bent or straight eg elbow or knee

4. Hinge Joints

5. Synovial joints continued Pivot joints – allows movement in most directions eg neck and head. Ball and socket joints allow movement in all directions eg shoulder and humerus or femur and pelvis.

6. Ball and socket joints

7. Synovial joints Synovial joints move freely due to the synovial fluid that lubricates the joint and prevents the bones grinding together. Synovial fluid is made by the synovial membrane. This, along with the articular cartilage, which covers and protects the bone ends makes the bones move smoothly.

8. More synovial joints

9. summary

10. Questions What type of joint is the middle joint in your fingers? Explain your answer. What type of tissue links bones together in a joint? What might happen if the synovial fluid decreases? How would this affect someone’s movement?