Exercise 11: JointsArticulations (joints) are formed between adjacent bones. Different joints allow for varying degrees and
types of movement. Most articulations in the body are mobile, but some are more rigid. Joints are
classified both structurally and functionally.
1. Login into Visible Body and launch the Anatomy and Physiology app. Click on the hyperlink called
“12.1 Joints.” The complete skeleton will be displayed.
2. Click on the hyperlink called “Joints with no movement.” All the joints in this category are highlighted
in blue. Take screen shot and paste it in the space called “No movement” below.
3. Click on the hyperlink called “Joints with slight movement.” All the joints in this category are
highlighted in blue. Take screen shot and paste it in the space called “Slight movement” below.
4. Click on the hyperlink called “Joints with full movement.” All the joints in this category are highlighted
in blue. Take screen shot and paste it in the space called “Full movement” below.
5. Where are the joints with no movement and slight movement concentrated in the body?
No movement
Slight movement
Full movement
6. Match the terms diarthrosis, amphiarthrosis, and synarthrosis with the screen shots above.
Structural classification of joints
Structural classification is used to identify joints by the type of connective tissue that connects the
bones. Structural classifications include fibrous, cartilaginous, and synovial joints.
7. Identify the type of connective tissue in fibrous and cartilaginous joints.
8. Synovial joints have a specialized connective tissue called a synovial membrane, which secretes
synovial fluid into the space in between the bones of the joint. Synovial joints are covered by a fibrous
capsule made of dense irregular connective tissue.
9. Label the synovial membrane, synovial fluid, and
fibrous capsule.
10. Ligaments connect bones together. Draw 2
ligaments near the edges of the joint.
11. Ligaments can rub against surrounding bone.
Bursae are small fluid filled sacs that reduce friction
from ligament. Draw a bursa next to one of your
ligaments.
12. Synovial fluid absorbs shock within a joint, but
additional structures are needed to prevent the bones
from rubbing against each other. Draw a meniscus in
the narrow space in between the bones of this joint.
Label the articular cartilage at the ends of the bones.
13. Classify each joint highlighted by the green arrow.
14. After exploring the 3 different types of joints, you will classify several joints in the body. Fill in the
chart below with the structural and functional classifications of the joints listed.
Joint
Coronal suture
Knee
Inferior tibiofibular joint
Shoulder
First sternocostal joint
Elbow
Gomphosis
(tooth in bony socket)
carpometacarpal joint of
the thumb
Third metacarpophalangeal
joint
Proximal radioulnar joint
Structural
Classification
Functional
Classification
Types of synovial joints
Synovial joints allow the body to move in a variety of ways. There are 6 types of synovial joints: pivot,
hinge, saddle, ball-and-socket, plane, and condylar. Pivot joints allow for rotation. Hinge joints work like
a door hinge. A saddle joint is named for its similarity to a saddle. Ball-and-socket joints allows the
greatest range of movement. Condyloid joints are like ball-and-socket joints but have a smaller range of
motion (no rotation). Plane joints have the least range of motion.
15. Which two joints allow rotational movements? Use this symbol
to identify rotation. Hint:
Turning your head to right or supinating your forearm are examples of rotational movements.
16. What is different about the movements allowed by a hinge joint and a condyloid joint?
17. Which joint allows the special movement called opposition?
Movements at synovial joints
Synovial joints have a wide range of movement, which are classified as angular, rotational, or special.
Angular movements include flexion, extension, circumduction, adduction, abduction. Rotational
movements include lateral and medial rotation, pronation, and supination. Special movements include
opposition, depression, elevation, protraction, retraction, inversion, eversion, plantar flexion, and
dorsiflexion. All movements are based on anatomical position.
18. Each arrow identifies a movement. Label the end of each arrow with the correct movement.
19. Match the 6 different types of synovial joints (previous page) with the 3 type of movements below.
* Challenge question: People with hypermobile joints are incorrectly described as being double jointed.
Hypermobility happens when joints move beyond the normal range of movement. Which two angular
movements pictured above show hypermobility?
Knee
The knee joint is the largest and most complex joint in the body. The knee is compound joint
(tibiofemoral and patellofemoral joints). The knee primarily allows flexion and extension, as well as
slight rotation. The knee is stabilized by several ligaments.
20. Login into Visible Body and launch the Anatomy and Physiology app. Click on the hyperlink called
“12.22 Ligaments and Synovial Joints.” The knee will be displayed.
21. Rotate the knee to an anterior view. Take a screenshot and paste it in the space called “Anterior.”
22. Rotate the knee to a posterior view. Take a screenshot and paste it in the space called “Posterior.”
23. Label the structures listed below.
•
•
•
•
anterior cruciate ligament
posterior cruciate ligament
fibular (lateral) collateral ligament
tibial (medial) collateral
Anterior
•
•
•
•
ligament
patellar ligament
medial meniscus
lateral meniscus
Posterior
* Challenge question: The anterior cruciate ligament is often damaged in knee injuries. Which direction
does the knee moves when the anterior cruciate ligament is torn?
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