classification of joints

 1. Structural classification

2. Functional classification

3. Biomechanical classification

1. Structural classification of joints

1. Fibrous joint

Held together by fibrous connective tissue.

No joint activity is present.

Joint together tightly, may be immovable or slightly movable.

a. Sutures

immovable

Example, corneal sutures

Fibrous joint composed of thin layer of dense connective tissue.

b. Gomphosis

Immovable

Fibrous joint cone shaped peg fits into socket by fibrous periodontal ligament.

Example, dento- alveolar joint

c. Syndesmoses

Permits slightly movement.

Example; interosseous membrane of forearm and leg.

Example; interosseous ligament between shaft of redius and ulna allow movement including twisting of forearm.

Example; pronation; palm posterior

supination; palm anterior

2. Cartilaginous joints

Cartilaginous joint held together by cartilage (hyaline or fibrocartilage).

No joint cavity present.

May be immovable or slightly movable.

a. Synchondrosis

(Primary cartilage joint)

Immovable hyaline cartilage.

Example; growth plates, 1st sternocostal joint.

(between 1st pair of costal cartilage of ribs and manubrium of sternum.

b. Symphyses

(Secondary cartilaginous joint)

Proximal and distal head.

Shock absorbers

Permit slight movement fibrocartilage.

For example; pubic symphysis

Intervertebral discs

3. Synovial joints

a. Plane (gliding)

b. Hinge; allow motion in one plane)

c. Saddle

d. Ball and socket

e. Condylar 

f. Pivot; round and ring

2. Functional classification

1. Synarthrosis joint

Immovable joint

Fibrous cartilaginous joint

2. Amphiarthrosis joint

Joint permits only slight movement

Fibrous or cartilaginous joint

3. Diarthrosis joint

Freely movable joint

Always synovial joint

3. Biomechanical classification

(Number of bone involved)

1. Simple bone

Having two articulation surfaces, example; shoulder joint, hip joint

2. Compound bone

Joint having 3 or more articulation surfaces.

Example; radio carpal joint (where radius bone of forearm meet 1st row of carpal bone.

3. Complex joint

Joints having 3 or more articulation surface and an articular disc.

Example; knee joint