Basic Joint Anatomy Worksheet

1. Why is there little to no movement in a fibrous joint?

Because the bones are joined together with strong fibrous tissue.

2.What is an example of a fibrous joint?

An example of a fibrous joint are the joints between the bones that make up the skull.

3. Describe a cartilaginous joint and give an example.

Very little movement occurs at these joints because they are joined by intervening fibrocartilage. An example of this is anywhere between the vertebrae of the vertebral column

4. What type of joint essentially allows free movement?

A synovial joint

5. What lubricates a joint cavity?

Synovial fluids

6. For the following joint types please list the name of the joint type, the type of movement of the joint, the shape of the joint and an example.

• Plane joint- is a slightly curved articular joint which permits gliding or slipping in any direction. An example is the joints in your hands.



• Hinge joint- A joint in which one surface is shaped like a cylinder and the other is shaped like a concave groove. It allows movement around that single axis. An example is the joint in your elbow.



• Condylar joint- It has two articular surfaces. Its movement is similar to a hinge joint but it allows a couple more movements as well. an example is your knee joint



• Ball and Socket joint- Consists of a ball shaped end of a bone which fits into a cup-shaped joint socket on the other bone. Movement is possible in many directions such as a shoulder joint allows.



• Ellipsoidal joint- Is similar to a ball and socket joint except the joint socket is shaped more like an ellipse rather than a circle. An example of this is a wrist joint.



• Pivot joint- Has a bony peg which fits into a concave notch in such a way that one bone can pivot with respect to the other, such as the joint between the radius and the ulna.



• Saddle joint- resembles two western saddles. One is inverted and the other is turned at right angles to the first. Both articulating surfaces are concave in one direction and convew in the other. An example would be the joint that the thumb fits into.