1. Articulations – Joint Anatomy and Function Flash Cards

2. The Shoulder Joint
The shoulder joint (glenohumeral joint) permits the greatest range of motion of any joint, but is also the least stable
It is a freely movable (diarthrosis), ball-and-socket joint, placed between the head of the humerus and the glenoid cavity of the scapula
The glenoid labrum is the fibro-cartilage lining that extends past the bone and deepens the socket, which is enclosed by the articular capsule
The acromion (clavicle) and coracoid process (scapula) project laterally and superior to the humerus, stabilizing the joint
It is supported by numerous skeletal muscles, tendons, ligaments and bursae

3. Acromioclavicular ligament Coracoclavicular ligaments
Tendon of supraspinatus muscle
Clavicle
Acromion
Articular capsule
Coraco-acromial ligament
Subdeltoid bursa
Coracoid process
Scapula
Synovial membrane
Articular cartilages
Glenoid (joint) cavity
Glenoid labrum
Humerus
Head of
humerus
Articular capsule
Anterior view, frontal section 3

4. Shoulder Ligaments Shoulder Muscles Shoulder Bursae Glenohumeral
Coracohumeral
Coracoacromial
Coracoclavicular
Acromioclavicular*
Shoulder separation
Shoulder Muscles
(Rotator Cuff)
Supraspinatus
Infraspinatus
Subscapularis
Teres minor
Shoulder Dislocation
Shoulder Bursae
Subacromial
Subcoracoid
Subdeltoid
Subscapular

5. The Elbow Joint
The elbow joint is a stable hinge joint with articulations involving the humerus, radius, and the ulna; it has limited movement
The humeroulnar joint is the largest articulation of the elbow, involving the trochlea of the humerus and the trochlear notch of the ulna; it is stabilized by the ulnar collateral ligament

6. The humeroradial joint is the smaller articulation of the elbow, involving the capitulum of the humerus and the head of the radius; it is stabilized by the radial collateral ligament

7. The Hip Joint
The hip joint is also called the coxal joint; it is a strong ball-and-socket (diarthrosis) with a wide range of motion
The head of the femur fits into the acetabulum of the hip, which is extended by the acetabular labrum

8. The hip joint is also stabilized by the iliofemoral, pubofemoral, ischiofemoral, transverse acetabular, and femoral head ligaments (ligamentum teres)

9. The Knee Joint
The knee joint is a complicated hinge joint that transfers weight from the femur to the tibia
There are two femur to tibia articulations at the medial and lateral condyles, and one articulation between the patella and the patellar surface of femur
The articular capsule envelopes the joint; menisci cushion and stabilize the joint

10. Accessory Structures: Cartilages, Fat pads, Ligaments, Tendons, Bursae
Landmarks Include
Articular cartilage pads articulating surfaces, preventing bones from touching. They are hyaline-based (porous) and filled with water
Synovial fluid contains slippery proteoglycans that are secreted by fibroblasts. The fluid lubricates, distributes nutrients and helps to absorb shock
Accessory Structures: Cartilages, Fat pads, Ligaments, Tendons, Bursae
Meniscal cartilage cushions the joint; it contains a fibrocartilage rich pad called a meniscus (or articular disc)
Fat Pads are superficial to the joint capsule; they protect articular cartilages
Ligaments support and strengthen joints. A sprain is caused by ligaments with torn collagen fibers
Tendons attach to muscles around the joint (support like a “wrapper”)
Bursa is a pouch of synovial fluid; it cushions areas where tendons or ligaments rub. Excessive use (pressure) can cause painful inflammation, resulting in bursitis and the formation of a bunion
All of these structures, as well as other bones and muscles, stabilize the joint!

11. The Structure of a Synovial Joint
Quadriceps tendon
Bursa
Joint capsule
Femur
Patella
Synovial membrane
Articular cartilage
Meniscus
Fat pad
Patellar ligament
Intracapsular ligament
Joint cavity
Tibia
Meniscus
Knee joint, sagittal section 11

12. The knee has seven supporting ligaments
(anterior) patellar ligament
(posterior) 2 popliteal ligaments
(medial) tibial collateral ligament
(lateral) fibular collateral ligament
(anterior) cruciate ligament*
(posterior) cruciate ligament*
*(located inside joint capsule)