| If the joints had no function, there would not | | | | provides lubrication and reduces friction in the |
| have been any use of them in the human body. | | | | bone joints. Such joints are slightly movable and |
| The joints play vital roles in maintaining what we | | | | are the motion is generally a "free-play" rather |
| call as a fit and aesthetically good body. It helps | | | | than a full range motion - i.e. it prevents from any |
| people run, jump, stretch and walk. Without joints | | | | mechanical shocks and has a shock absorbing |
| being functional, it is tough to imagine the free | | | | effect. |
| kick of your favorite footballer! | | | | Diarthrosis: Such joints allow a range of motion |
| The degree of movement that joints allow | | | | that is not seen in the previous two joint types. If |
| enables us to classify them on the basis of their | | | | you can rotate your arms fully and can stretch |
| functionality. They are classified into 3 | | | | your legs - it is because of the joint. Such joints |
| functionalities: | | | | are synovial joints. This type of a joint is |
| Synarthrosis: This allows little or no movement at | | | | characterized by its strange shape. There is |
| all. Most of the joints that are classified as such | | | | actually a cavity in between two bones and it is |
| are made up of fibrous tissues that allow little or | | | | complemented by a cartilage, connective tissue |
| no mobility. Is it hard to imagine a joint which | | | | and a lubricating fluid, known as the synovial fluid. |
| cannot move? Relax; the best example is the | | | | Other examples of joints which are this type are |
| cranium structure - popularly known as the skull. | | | | the hip, shoulder, elbow and knee joints. This is |
| The skull is not an intact and a molded shape but | | | | also known as the simple joint in biomechanical |
| is made up of many joints. | | | | classification. |
| These joints are immovable and are known as | | | | The diarthrosis is considered as the movement |
| the synarthrosis joints. | | | | joint and the movement and the range of motion |
| Amphiarthrosis: Similar to the classification of | | | | is greater than that of any other joints which are |
| joints on the basis of structure, this type of joint | | | | almost fixed. The joints can be further classified |
| allows very little and limited mobility. These joints | | | | according to the number of articulation surface. |
| are generally supportive in nature and provide the | | | | This type of classification is known as the |
| mechanical stability and strength needed to keep | | | | bio-mechanical classification as mentioned above. |
| the body in motion. Cartilaginous joints are called | | | | It is hard to imagine what we would be like |
| so. | | | | without joints and that too without their so many |
| A cartilage can be called a pseudo bone, i.e. it is | | | | functionalities! |
| not a bone at all. It is a gelatinous structure and | | | | |