Question

Describe the various kinds of skeletal joints in human body according to their mobility, giving one example for each.

Answer 1

On the basis of mobility, joints are classified into three main groups:

1. Fibrous joint: These do not allow any movement because the bones are firmly fixed together by strong collagen fibres. Example: skull and tooth joint.

2. Cartilaginous joint: The two bones are joined together with the help of a disc or pad of white fibrous cartilage. Example: sternum, ribs, vertebral column, etc.

3. Synovial joint: These are freely movable joints which allow movement in one or more directions. The bones are covered by a membrane called synovial membrane and cavity is filled with synovial fluid.

These are further of various types:

A. Ball and socket joint in the shoulder and hip joint.

B. Hinge joint in elbow and knee joint.

C. Pivot joint in radius and ulna below the elbow.

D. Gliding joint in wrist and tassels.

E. Saddle joint in carpels and metacarpals of a human thumb.

F. The condyloid joint in fingers.