How the bones stay connected! Joints, Tendons, Ligaments and Cartilage

What would happen if our bones were not connected?

Fortunately they are connected and protected! Joints Ligaments Tendons Cartilage

Joints – the junction of two bones that permits movement There are 5 major categories of joints Fixed Hinge Gliding Ball and Socket Pivot/facet

Fixed – Immoveable - Fibrous Fixed joint an oxymoron very very limited movement Found in the skull and parts of the pelvis

Baby’s Skull

Hinge Joints Allows movement in one direction – back and forth or flex and extend Examples: elbows, knees, fingers, toes

Gliding Joints Most often a sideways movement Bones slide past each other Examples: the carpals and metacarpals of the wrist and hand

Ball and socket joints – rotational motion. Can rotate 360 o

Pivot Joint Twisting motion The knee and elbow have a partial pivot motion

Facet Joints Found between the vertebrae

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Ligaments – connect bone to bone Bands of connective tissue that hold bones together

Tendons – connect muscle to bone

Cartilage – cushions between bones Flexible, soft and strong connective tissue Helps prevent rubbing and friction between bones All bones start as cartilage