Basic Structure and function of human joints

39 important questions on Basic Structure and function of human joints

What are the two major types of joints?

  • Synarthroses 
  • Diarthroses

Where can you divide Synarthroses in?

  • Firbrous
  • cartilaginous

What is a Fibrous joint?

Fibrous joints are stabilized by specialized dense connective tissues, usually with a high concentration of collagen.
  • Higher grades + faster learning
  • Never study anything twice
  • 100% sure, 100% understanding
Discover Study Smart

What is a cartilaginous joint?

Cartilaginous joints are stabilized by varying forms flexible firbrocartilage or hyaline cartilage, often mixed with collagen.

What seven element has a synovial joint?

  1. Synovial fluid
  2. Articular cartilage
  3. Joint capsule
  4. Synovial membrane
  5. Ligaments
  6. Blood vessels
  7. Sensory nerves

What forms the joint capsule?

The joint is enclosed by a peripoheral curtain of connective tissue, which forms the joint capsule.

What are the two layers of the joint capsule and where do they compose of and what is there function?

  1. The external or fibrous layer is composed of dense connective tissue. This part provides support between the bones and containment of the joints contents.
  2. The internal layer consists out of a synovial membrane, which averages 3 to 10 cell layers thick. These cells manufacture synovial fluid, which coats the articular surfaces of the joint. The fluid reduces friction between the joint surfaces as well as providing some nourishment to the articular cartilage.

What is the function of ligaments?

Ligaments protect the joint from excessive movement. Limiting the ROM.

What are capsular ligaments?

Capsular ligaments are usually thickenings of the articular capsule. They have a broad sheet of fibers that risist movement in two or three planes.

What are extracapsular ligaments and what is there function?

Extracapsular ligaments are more cordlike and may be partially or completely separate from the joint capsule. The ligaments are in a specific manner orientated so that they optimally resist movement in one or two planes.

What are Intra-articular discs or/and menisci?

Intrea-articular discs and menisci are pads of fibrocartilage imposed between articular surfaces. 

What is the function of the Intra-articular discs and menisci?

These structures increase articular congruency and improve force dispersion.

WHat is the function of the peripheral labrum?

The periperhal labrum extends from the bony rims of the glenoid fossa of the shoulder and the acetabulum of the hip. These specialized structeres deepen the concave member of these joints and support and thicken the attachment of the joint capsule.

What is a fat pad and what is there function?

  • Fat pads are positioned within the substance of the joint capsule, often interposed between fibrous layer and the synovial membrane. 
  • They thicken the joint capsule to fill nonarticulating joint spaces  formed by incongruent bony contours. Fat pads reduce the volume of synovial fluid necessary for proper joint function.

What is a bursae?

A bursa is an extension or outpouching of the synovial membrane of a diarthrodial joint.

What is the function of a bursea?

Bursae helps absorb the force and protect periarticular connective tissues, including bone.

What is a Synovial plicae?

Synovial plicea are slack, overlapped pleats of tissue composed of the innermost layer of the joint capsule.

What is the function of a synovial plicea?

Plicea increase synovial surface area and allow full joint motion without undue tension on the synovial lining.

Which seven types of joint are there and name one example?

  1. Hinge joint, Humero-ulnar joint
  2. Pivot joint, Humeroradial joint
  3. Ellipsoid joint, Radiocarpel joint
  4. Ball-and-socket joint, Glenohumeral joint
  5. Plane joint, Carpometacarpel joint
  6. Saddle joint, Sternoclavicular joint
  7. Condyloid joint, Tibiofemoral joint

What are the primary motions of a pivot joint?

Spinning of one member around a single axis of rotation.

What is the primary motion of the saddle joint?

Biplanar motion. (spin between bones is possible but may limited by interlocking nature of joint.)

What is the primary motion of the condyloid joint?

Bipolar motion.(FLexion- extension and abduction-adduction) or (flexion-extension and internal-external rotation)

What are the two basic shapes of joint surfaces found in the body?

  • Ovoid joint
  • Saddle joint

What is a Ovoid joint?

A ovoid joint is an joint where the surface is convex (egg-shaped). It moves inside a concave capsul.

What is a saddle joint?

The saddle joint has two surfaces one concave and one convex.

What are the fundamental materials to make connective tissue?

1. Fibrous proteins:
  • Collagen type 1 and 2
  • Elastin
2. Ground substance
  • GLycosaminoglycans
  • Water
  • Solutes
3. Cells
  • Fibroblasts
  • Chondrocytes


What are elastin fibers?

These protein fiber are composed of a net-like interweaving of small fibrils that resist tensile(stretching) forces, but have more 'give' when elongated.
Tissues with high proportion elastin fibers are able to return to there original shape after being greatly deformed. 

Which three types of connective tissue is there?

  1. Dense connective tissue
  2. Articular cartilage
  3. Fibrocartilage

What is dense tissue?

Dense tissue include most of the non muscular soft tissues surrounding the joint: the fibrous layer of the joint capsule, ligaments and tendons. These tissues have few cells (fibroblasts), relative low moderate proportions proteoglycan and elastin, and tight packed type 1 collagen fibers.

Primary function dense connective tissue?

  • Resist tension
  • Ligaments and joint capsules protect and bind the joint
  • Tendons transfer forces between muscle and bone

Primary function articular cartilage?

  • Distributes and absorbs joint forces(compression and shear)
  • Reduces joint friction

Primary function fibrocartilage?

  • Supports and mechanically stabilizes the joint
  • Dissipates loads across multiple planes
  • Guides complex arthrokinematics

What is articular cartilage?

Articular cartilage is a specialized type of cartilage that forms the load-bearing surface of joints.

HOw thick is articular cartilage?

On low compression area's it is 1-4mm.
On high compression area's it is 5-7mm.

Where does bone consist of?

Bone tissue consist of a highly cross linked type 1 collagen, cells(osteoblasts), and a hard ground substance rich in mineral salts.

What is wolff's law?

Wolff's law refers to bone as a dynamic tissue and it's capicity to constantly alter it's shape, strength and density in response to external force. 
Bone is laid down in area's of high stress and reabsorbed in area's of low stress.

What is an acute trauma?

Acute trauma often produce detectable pathology, like a torn of ligaments. This gives a inflammation reaction and instability of the joint.

What is a chronic trauma?

Chronic trauma is often classified as overuse syndrome, and reflects an accumulation of unrepaired, relatively minor damage. The joints gradually lose their restraining function, but muscular take this over.

What is RA (Rheumatic Arthritis)?

RA is a systemic, autoimmune connective tissue disorder with a strong inflammatory component.Because of inflammation of the capsule, synovium and synovial fluid the articular cartilage is exposed to an enzymatic process that rapidly erode the articular surface, causing instability and pain.

The question on the page originate from the summary of the following study material:

  • A unique study and practice tool
  • Never study anything twice again
  • Get the grades you hope for
  • 100% sure, 100% understanding
Remember faster, study better. Scientifically proven.
Trustpilot Logo