Joints & Articulations
Start with the big picture
Joints can be classified functionally as synarthroses, amphiarthroses, or diarthroses, reflecting immobility, slight movement, or free movement. Structural classification groups them as fibrous, cartilaginous, or synovial. Synovial joints share features including a cavity, articular cartilage, synovial membrane and fluid, and a fibrous capsule. Their forms include plane, hinge, pivot, condyloid, saddle, and ball-and-socket joints, each associated with characteristic movement. Accessory structures such as ligaments, menisci, labra, and bursae support stability, load distribution, or joint congruence. The deeper lesson also introduces articular cartilage nutrition, synovial fluid, nerve supply, and clinical relevance.
What you'll learn
- Distinguish functional from structural classifications of joints.
- Describe key features of fibrous, cartilaginous, and synovial joints.
- Relate synovial joint subtypes to their characteristic movements.
- Explain how accessory structures contribute to joint function.
- Identify the roles of articular cartilage and synovial fluid.
Continue your study
Work through the complete notes and reinforce the topic with the study tools available in the full lesson.
