Joints in the Body
In the human body, different joints perform different functions. One of the ways that joints can be classified is based on the nature of tissues found on the joint and their movement abilities. Based on the nature of the tissues on the joint, the classes include fibrous joint, synovial joint and cartilaginous joints. Joints play monumental roles in the body. The different types of joints enhance flexibility by enabling the movement of the various organs.
Based on their ability to allow or not allow movement, the three classes of joints include the synarthroses or the immovable joints, the amphiarthroses or slightly movable joints and the diarthrosis or the freely movable joints or the synovial joints. The synovial joints allow movement of bones and are further categorized into six distinct classes; the ball and socket, hinge, condyloid, pivot, gliding and saddle joints (Zhang Darryl Blalock, & Jinxi). The hinge joints allow two basic types of movement; extension and flexion that occur in a single direction. The ball and socket joints are located in the large bones such as the hips and shoulders (Ebneshahidi). They allow all-direction movements between two bones. Moreover, they allow a higher degree of motion such as adduction, abduction, rotation, extension and flexion.
With gliding joints, movements are limited, and they occur on smooth surfaces. An example of a gliding joint is the wrist joint. Saddle joints located in the metacarpals and carpals allow forward and backward movements and movements from one side to the other (Zhang Darryl Blalock, & Jinxi. However, saddle joints do not allow rotation. The immovable joints lack joint cavity, and connections between individual bones are through fibrous connective tissues.
Works Cited
Ebneshahidi, Ali. “Joints”
Zhang, Xiaoming., Darryl, Blalock, & Jinxi, Wang. (2015)”Classification and Definition of Normal Joints” Osteoarthritis-progress in Basic Research and Treatment. IntechOpen, 2015