Joints, Ligaments, and Bone Anatomy: A Comprehensive Review

Posted on Mar 3, 2025 in Physical Education

Joint Types

Joint Types:

  1. Synarthrosis: Exhibits minimal mobility due to dense fibrous tissue. Example: skull sutures.
  2. Amphiarthrosis: Allows limited movement and elasticity due to a higher fiber content. Movement depends on the fiber arrangement. Example: intervertebral discs.
  3. Diarthro-Amphiarthrosis: Permits slight mobility and fixation. Example: sacroiliac joint (sacrum and innominate).
  4. Diarthrosis: Highly mobile joints with liquefied tissue and a fibrous joint capsule. Example: knee joint, containing synovial fluid.

Synovial Joint Classifications

Synovial Joint Classifications:

  1. Plane (Articular) Joints (Arthrodias): Allow poor gliding movements. Example: carpal bones.
  2. Hinge Joints (Trochlear): Permit bending and restrict mobility to one plane. Example: phalanges of fingers.
  3. Pivot Joints (Trochoid): Feature a cylindrical bone rotating within a ligament ring, allowing rotation. Example: radioulnar joint at the elbow.
  4. Condylar Joints: Allow movement in multiple planes but limited rotation.
  5. Ball and Socket Joints: Offer the greatest mobility, including rotation. Example: hip joint (coxofemoral).
  6. Saddle Joints (Reciprocal): One bone fits into the other, providing stability and mobility. Example: carpometacarpal joint of the thumb.
  7. Gomphosis: A dental joint where the tooth root fits into the alveolar socket, secured by periodontal ligaments.

Tarsal Bones

Tarsal Bones: Calcaneus, talus, cuboid, navicular, and three cuneiform bones.

Ankle Sprain Grades

Ankle Sprain Grades:

  1. Grade I: Some ligament fibers are stretched but not torn.
  2. Grade II: Significant stretching of the ligaments.
  3. Grade III: Complete rupture of ligament fibers.

Cruciate Ligament Insertions in the Knee

Cruciate Ligament Insertions in the Knee:

  1. Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL): Inserts on the anterior portion of the tibial spine and the internal portion of the external femoral condyle.
  2. Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL): Inserts on the retrospinal portion of the tibial spine and the medial condyle of the femur.

Knee Ligaments

Knee Ligaments:

  1. Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL): Inserts on the tibial tuberosity.
  2. Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL): Inserts near the semimembranosus muscle tendon.
  3. Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL): Inserts near the medial meniscus.
  4. Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL): Extends from the external femoral condyle to the fibular head.

Muscles of the Upper Limb

Muscles of the Upper Limb:

  1. Levator Scapulae: Elevates the scapula.
  2. Rhomboids: Retract and elevate the scapula, contributing to trunk fixation.
  3. Latissimus Dorsi: Adducts and internally rotates the arm, important for climbing.

Scapula and Humerus Anatomy

Scapula and Humerus Anatomy:

  • Scapula: Posterior spine, anterior coracoid process.
  • Humerus: Rounded head, greater tubercle (trochiter) located laterally, lesser tubercle (trochin) located centrally.

Ulna and Radius Anatomy

Ulna and Radius Anatomy:

  • Ulna: Olecranon and coronoid process, styloid process.
  • Radius: Rounded head, styloid process.

Carpal Bones

Carpal Bones (Two Rows):

  • Proximal Row: Scaphoid, lunate, triquetrum, and pisiform.
  • Distal Row: Trapezium, trapezoid, capitate, and hamate.

Carpal Ligament and Carpal Tunnel

Carpal Ligament and Carpal Tunnel: The transverse carpal ligament joins the scaphoid and pisiform, forming the carpal tunnel through which the median nerve passes. Compression of the median nerve can lead to carpal tunnel syndrome.