1. Joints of the Human Body

2. A joint or articulation is a point of connection between two bones
Strands of connective tissue and ligaments hold the bones together and ensure the stability of joints
Joints are classified in two ways:
according to their motion capabilities (ranging from immoveable to very moveable)
according to the material that joins them together

3. There are 3 types of joints:
Fibrous Joints: allow no movement
Ex. Sutures of the skull
Cartilaginous Joints: allow limited movement
Ex. Intervertebral discs
Synovial Joints: allow a range of movements
Ex. Knee joint

4. Synovial Joints Characteristics of synovial joints:
The ends of the articulating bones are covered in a protective layer of connective tissue called hyaline cartilage
The joint cavity itself is covered in a synovial membrane that secretes synovial fluid, which acts to lubricate the joint
Extrinsic ligaments are present to support the joint and connect the articulating bones of the joint

5. Types of Synovial Joints
There are 6 types of synovial joints in the human skeleton (refer to our skeletal system #1 notes for more information)
Hinge joint
Pivot joint
Condyloid joint (knuckle joint)
Saddle joint
Ball and socket joint
Plane joint (gliding joint)

6. Joints of the Pectoral Girdle
Sternocalvicular joint
Connects the clavicle to the sternum
The only joint connecting the pectoral girdle to the axial skeleton
Acromioclavicular joint
Unites the lateral end of the clavicle with the acromion process of the scapula
Where shoulder separations often occur in contact sports
Glenohumeral joint
Connects the upper limb to the scapula
This joint has a wide range of movement, but a relative lack of stability due to this ROM.

7. Pectoral Girdle

8. Joints of the Upper Limb
There are 3 distinct joints are the elbow
Humero-ulnar joint
Humero-radial joint
Radio-ulnar joint
At the wrist you find the radio-carpal joint
In the hand you find the following joints:
Intercarpal joints (all gliding joints between carpal bones)
Carpometacarpal joints
Metacarpophalangeal joints (aka. Knuckles)
Interphalangeal joints

9. Joints of the Pelvic Girdle
Hip joint
Formed between the head of the femur and the acetabulum of the hip bone (ball and socket)
Considered to be very stable, though it does provide a wide range of motion much like the shoulder
Stable due to the deepened socket and very strong intrinsic and extrinsic ligaments
Not commonly dislocated, unless in car accidents

10. Lower Limb Joints Knee joint (aka. Tibiofemoral joint)
Considered to be relatively stable due to:
Menisci (shock-absorbing discs)
Anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments (located on the centre of the joint)
Later and medial collateral ligaments (extending from the sides of the femur to the tibia and fibula)
Strong surrounding musculature

11. Ankle and Foot Joints Talocrural joint (ankle joint)
Involves several bones coming together (tibia, fibula, talus, calcaneous) supported by many ligaments
In the foot you find the following:
Intertarsal joints (between tarsal bones)
Help us adjust to running on uneven surfaces
Enable inversion-eversion of the sole of the foot
Tarsometatarsal joint
Metatarsophalangeal joints
Interphalangeal joints (strengthened by plantar ligaments, which help maintaining the arch of the foot)

12. Ankle and Foot Joints