Chapter 8 Study Guide
1. What is another name for a joint? And what are the functions of joints?
An articulation. To provide structural support and protect delicate tissues.
2. What are the two major classifications of joints?
Structural and Functional classification.
3. In the structural classification, list and describe general characteristics of the 3 different types.
Fibrous- Bones joined by dense fibrous connective tissue. No joint cavity. Most are immovable.
Cartilaginous-Bones united by cartilage. Like fibrous joints, have no joint cavity. Not highly movable
Two types:
Synchondroses
Symphyses
Synovial- Bones separated by fluid-filled joint cavity. All are diarthrotic (freely movable). Include almost all limb
joints
4. What are the three different types of fibrous joints? Describe and give examples, including mobility classification
for each.
Sutures- are rigid, interlocking joints of skull. Allow for growth during youth. Contain short connective tissue
fibers that allow for expansion. In middle age, sutures ossify and fuse. Immovable joints join skull into one unit
that protects brain. Closed, immovable sutures referred to as synostoses
Syndesmoses- bones connected by ligaments, bands of fibrous tissue. Fiber length varies, so movement varies.
Short fibers offer little to no movement. Example: interosseous membrane connecting radius and ulna
Gomphoses- are peg-in-socket joints. Only examples are the teeth in alveolar sockets. Fibrous connection is the
periodontal ligament. Holds tooth in socket
5. What are the two different types of cartilaginous joints? Describe and give examples, including mobility
classification for each.
Synchondroses and Symphyses.
Synchondroses- a bar or plate of hyaline cartilage unites bones
Symphyses- are strong, amphiarthrotic (slightly movable) joints
6. What are the six features of a synovial joint? Describe each. What type of mobility classification do all synovial
joints share?
Articular cartilage: consists of hyaline cartilage covering ends of bones. Prevents crushing of bone ends
Joint (synovial) cavity: small, fluid-filled space
Articular (joint) capsule: two layers thick. External fibrous layer: dense irregular connective tissue. Inner synovial
membrane: loose connective tissue that makes synovial fluid
Synovial fluid: viscous, slippery filtrate of plasma and hyaluronic acid. Lubricates and nourishes articular
cartilage. Contains phagocytic cells to remove microbes and debris. Different types of reinforcing ligaments
Capsular: thickened part of fibrous layer. Extracapsular: outside the capsule. Intracapsular: deep to capsule;
covered by synovial membrane
Nerves and blood vessels: Nerves detect pain; monitor joint position and stretch. Capillary beds supply filtrate
for synovial fluid.
7. List and describe other possible synovial joint features.
Fatty pads- For cushioning between fibrous layer of capsule and synovial membrane or bone
1. What is another name for a joint? And what are the functions of joints?
An articulation. To provide structural support and protect delicate tissues.
2. What are the two major classifications of joints?
Structural and Functional classification.
3. In the structural classification, list and describe general characteristics of the 3 different types.
Fibrous- Bones joined by dense fibrous connective tissue. No joint cavity. Most are immovable.
Cartilaginous-Bones united by cartilage. Like fibrous joints, have no joint cavity. Not highly movable
Two types:
Synchondroses
Symphyses
Synovial- Bones separated by fluid-filled joint cavity. All are diarthrotic (freely movable). Include almost all limb
joints
4. What are the three different types of fibrous joints? Describe and give examples, including mobility classification
for each.
Sutures- are rigid, interlocking joints of skull. Allow for growth during youth. Contain short connective tissue
fibers that allow for expansion. In middle age, sutures ossify and fuse. Immovable joints join skull into one unit
that protects brain. Closed, immovable sutures referred to as synostoses
Syndesmoses- bones connected by ligaments, bands of fibrous tissue. Fiber length varies, so movement varies.
Short fibers offer little to no movement. Example: interosseous membrane connecting radius and ulna
Gomphoses- are peg-in-socket joints. Only examples are the teeth in alveolar sockets. Fibrous connection is the
periodontal ligament. Holds tooth in socket
5. What are the two different types of cartilaginous joints? Describe and give examples, including mobility
classification for each.
Synchondroses and Symphyses.
Synchondroses- a bar or plate of hyaline cartilage unites bones
Symphyses- are strong, amphiarthrotic (slightly movable) joints
6. What are the six features of a synovial joint? Describe each. What type of mobility classification do all synovial
joints share?
Articular cartilage: consists of hyaline cartilage covering ends of bones. Prevents crushing of bone ends
Joint (synovial) cavity: small, fluid-filled space
Articular (joint) capsule: two layers thick. External fibrous layer: dense irregular connective tissue. Inner synovial
membrane: loose connective tissue that makes synovial fluid
Synovial fluid: viscous, slippery filtrate of plasma and hyaluronic acid. Lubricates and nourishes articular
cartilage. Contains phagocytic cells to remove microbes and debris. Different types of reinforcing ligaments
Capsular: thickened part of fibrous layer. Extracapsular: outside the capsule. Intracapsular: deep to capsule;
covered by synovial membrane
Nerves and blood vessels: Nerves detect pain; monitor joint position and stretch. Capillary beds supply filtrate
for synovial fluid.
7. List and describe other possible synovial joint features.
Fatty pads- For cushioning between fibrous layer of capsule and synovial membrane or bone
