Joints

Where two or more bones come together

Three main types, fixed, cartilaginous, synovial

Types of movement

Flexion

Extension

Abduction

Adduction

Rotation

Pronation

Supination

Fibrous or fixed

No movement between bones

Fixed with tough fibrous tissue

Eg. skull, pelvis, teeth and maxilla

Cartilaginous or slightly movable

Bones separated by a pad of fibrocartilage

Only slight movement allowed as movement compresses the pads of fibrocartilage

Pads held in place by ligaments of strong connective tissue

Eg. symphysis pubis and the vertebrae joints

Synovial or freely movable

There are different types of synovial joint, eg. hinge, gliding, pivot and ball and socket

Ball and socket

Allow movement in all directions

Movement usually limited by the shape of the ends of the bone Eg. hip, shoulder

Hinge

Allow movement in one plane

Eg. elbow, knee, ankle, finger

Gliding

Articular surfaces glide over each other

Eg. carpal and tarsal bones, sternoclavicular

Pivot

Allow movement around one axis, ie rotation

Eg. radioulnar joints, atlas and axis