Articulations

The chart below is a summary of information found in several texts. Most authors discuss the articulations or joints either in terms of function or structure but seldom combine both at the same time. Here you will be able to determine both the functional and structural attributes of each articulation type at once.

Terms:

Synarthrotic: immovable, such as the saggital suture

Amphiarthrotic: slightly moveable, such as the joint between the tibia and fibula

Diarthrotic: fully moveable

Synovial Joint: the most common type of joint in the body; this joint has a sac filled with synovial fluid between the articulated bones and is freely moveable

Bursae: small, fluid-filled sacs associated with synovial joints that help cushion the articulation

Gomphosis: conical socket-joint that receives a tooth