Question

Explain various kinds of joints found in our body and give example of each.

Answer 1

Joints are points of contacts where two or more bones are attached/ joined together for the purpose of the movement. There are three major types of joints: Immovable joints, slightly movable joints and movable joints.

(i) Immovable joints are the joints where no movement of bones is possible. For example, the joints in the skull bone (cranium).

(ii) Slightly movable joints are joints in which articulation between bones is limited due to either fibrous tissue or cartilage. For examples, pubic symphysis, joints between the vertebrae, etc.

(iii) In movable joints, movements are possible. The movable joints are further divided into five types: (a) Pivot joint- joint between atlas and axis, between radius head and ulna; (b) Ball and socket joint- shoulder and hip joints; (c) Hinge joint- elbow joint, knee joint, joints between phalanges; (d) Gliding joint- wrist joint, joints between the rings of the backbone; (e) Saddle joint- joint between the trapezium (a carpal bone) and metacarpal I.