A joint is any place where two or more bones come together to form a connection, such as your elbow, knee, hips, or shoulder. They allow you to run, walk, jump, play sports, and do the other things you like to do. Learn more about joints, what injuries you can get, and how to keep them healthy.
Types of joints based upon their structure (L to R): Cartilaginous joint, Fibrous joint, and Synovial joint
Image by Scientific Animations, Inc.
What Is a Joint?
Movement of Joints
Image by TheVisualMD
Movement of Joints
The human skeleton is composed of more than 200 bones, and all of them are held together by joints. There are three different types of joints:
Fibrous (immovable) joints are held together by a thin layer of strong connective tissue. There is no movement between the bones. Examples of fibrous joints are your teeth in their sockets and the sutures of your skull.
Cartilaginous joints feature bones that are held together by cartilaginous discs and ligaments. They allow only limited movement. Examples are the joints between your vertebrae.
Synovial joints move freely and are the most common type of joint in your body. The knee, hip, shoulder, elbow, and many other joints in your body are synovial joints.
Image by TheVisualMD
What Exactly Is a Joint?
A joint (joynt) is where two or more bones are joined together. Joints can be rigid, like the joints between the bones in your skull, or movable, like knees, hips, and shoulders. Many joints have cartilage (KAHRT-lij) on the ends of the bones where they come together. Healthy cartilage helps you move by allowing bones to glide over one another. It also protects bones by preventing them from rubbing against each other.
Keeping your joints healthy will allow you to run, walk, jump, play sports, and do the other things you like to do. Physical activity, a balanced diet, avoiding injuries, and getting plenty of sleep will help you stay healthy and keep your joints healthy too.
Source: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)
Additional Materials (7)
Joints: Crash Course A&P #20
Video by CrashCourse/YouTube
The 6 Types of Joints - Human Anatomy for Artists
Video by Proko/YouTube
Wrist and Hand Joints - 3D Anatomy Tutorial
Video by AnatomyZone/YouTube
Synovial Joint
Types of Synovial Joints. Types of synovial joints. Clockwise from top-right: Ball and socket joint, Condyloid joint,Plane joint, Saddle joint, Hinge joint and Pivot joint.
Image by OpenStax College
Cartiliginous Joints
Cartiliginous Joints
Image by OpenStax College
Condyloid Joints
The metacarpophalangeal joints in the finger are examples of condyloid joints. (credit: modification of work by Gray's Anatomy)
Image by OpenStax College
Fibrous Joints
Image by OpenStax College
9:23
Joints: Crash Course A&P #20
CrashCourse/YouTube
10:51
The 6 Types of Joints - Human Anatomy for Artists
Proko/YouTube
12:29
Wrist and Hand Joints - 3D Anatomy Tutorial
AnatomyZone/YouTube
Synovial Joint
OpenStax College
Cartiliginous Joints
OpenStax College
Condyloid Joints
OpenStax College
Fibrous Joints
OpenStax College
Classification
Female Skeletal System in Motion
Image by TheVisualMD
Female Skeletal System in Motion
3D visualization reconstructed from scanned human data of the female skeletal system in motion. Brilliantly engineered, the living skeleton not only bears the body's load and enables movement but also stores minerals, protects internal organs, and, in its spongy interiors, houses the main bloodworks. The efficient weight bearing capabilities of bone coupled with mobilizing joints allow for a great range of movements positioning.
Image by TheVisualMD
Classification of Joints
A joint, also called an articulation, is any place where adjacent bones or bone and cartilage come together (articulate with each other) to form a connection. Joints are classified both structurally and functionally. Structural classifications of joints take into account whether the adjacent bones are strongly anchored to each other by fibrous connective tissue or cartilage, or whether the adjacent bones articulate with each other within a fluid-filled space called a joint cavity. Functional classifications describe the degree of movement available between the bones, ranging from immobile, to slightly mobile, to freely moveable joints. The amount of movement available at a particular joint of the body is related to the functional requirements for that joint. Thus immobile or slightly moveable joints serve to protect internal organs, give stability to the body, and allow for limited body movement. In contrast, freely moveable joints allow for much more extensive movements of the body and limbs.
Review
Structural classifications of the body joints are based on how the bones are held together and articulate with each other. At fibrous joints, the adjacent bones are directly united to each other by fibrous connective tissue. Similarly, at a cartilaginous joint, the adjacent bones are united by cartilage. In contrast, at a synovial joint, the articulating bone surfaces are not directly united to each other, but come together within a fluid-filled joint cavity.
The functional classification of body joints is based on the degree of movement found at each joint. A synarthrosis is a joint that is essentially immobile. This type of joint provides for a strong connection between the adjacent bones, which serves to protect internal structures such as the brain or heart. Examples include the fibrous joints of the skull sutures and the cartilaginous manubriosternal joint. A joint that allows for limited movement is an amphiarthrosis. An example is the pubic symphysis of the pelvis, the cartilaginous joint that strongly unites the right and left hip bones of the pelvis. The cartilaginous joints in which vertebrae are united by intervertebral discs provide for small movements between the adjacent vertebrae and are also an amphiarthrosis type of joint. Thus, based on their movement ability, both fibrous and cartilaginous joints are functionally classified as a synarthrosis or amphiarthrosis.
The most common type of joint is the diarthrosis, which is a freely moveable joint. All synovial joints are functionally classified as diarthroses. A uniaxial diarthrosis, such as the elbow, is a joint that only allows for movement within a single anatomical plane. Joints that allow for movements in two planes are biaxial joints, such as the metacarpophalangeal joints of the fingers. A multiaxial joint, such as the shoulder or hip joint, allows for three planes of motions.
Source: CNX OpenStax
Additional Materials (21)
What Are Joints - Types Of Joints - Functions Of Joints- How To Improve Maintain Joints Health
Video by Whats Up Dude/YouTube
Anatomy and Physiology of Articulations Joints
Video by New Anatomy and Physiology Video/YouTube
Why Joints Go Bad
Video by Lee Health/YouTube
How To Help Your Joints | Living Healthy Chicago
Video by LivingHealthyChicago/YouTube
Wrist and Hand Joints - 3D Anatomy Tutorial
Video by AnatomyZone/YouTube
Protecting Your Joints | UCLA Rehabilitation Services
Video by UCLA Health/YouTube
Young Patient Old Joints
Video by Lee Health/YouTube
Types of joints in the human body - Anatomy & Examples | Kenhub
Video by Kenhub - Learn Human Anatomy/YouTube
Ligaments, tendons, and joints | Muscular-skeletal system physiology | NCLEX-RN | Khan Academy
Video by khanacademymedicine/YouTube
Fibrous Joints
Video by Medic Tutorials - Medicine and Language/YouTube
Cartilaginous Joints
Video by Medic Tutorials - Medicine and Language/YouTube
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago/YouTube
2:03
The Breakdown on Joints
Lee Health/YouTube
1:22:53
Bones and Joints: Spine, Neck and Lower Back Injuries
University of California Television (UCTV)/YouTube
6:22
Types of Joints: Synovial, Fibrous, Cartilaginous
EmpoweRN/YouTube
2:18
Maintaining Healthy Bones and Joints
University Hospitals/YouTube
1:04
What Is the Function of Synovial Fluid in Joints?
SA Health/YouTube
2:09
Knee Ligament Anatomy Animation
BertramZarinsMD/YouTube
Functional Classification
Joints and Skeletal Movement
Image by CNX Openstax
Joints and Skeletal Movement
Different types of joints allow different types of movement. Planar, hinge, pivot, condyloid, saddle, and ball-and-socket are all types of synovial joints.
Image by CNX Openstax
Functional Classification of Joints
Functional Classification of Joints
The functional classification of joints is determined by the amount of mobility found between the adjacent bones. Joints are thus functionally classified as a synarthrosis or immobile joint, an amphiarthrosis or slightly moveable joint, or as a diarthrosis, which is a freely moveable joint (arthroun = “to fasten by a joint”). Depending on their location, fibrous joints may be functionally classified as a synarthrosis (immobile joint) or an amphiarthrosis (slightly mobile joint). Cartilaginous joints are also functionally classified as either a synarthrosis or an amphiarthrosis joint. All synovial joints are functionally classified as a diarthrosis joint.
Synarthrosis
An immobile or nearly immobile joint is called a synarthrosis. The immobile nature of these joints provide for a strong union between the articulating bones. This is important at locations where the bones provide protection for internal organs. Examples include sutures, the fibrous joints between the bones of the skull that surround and protect the brain (image), and the manubriosternal joint, the cartilaginous joint that unites the manubrium and body of the sternum for protection of the heart.
Suture Joints of Skull
The suture joints of the skull are an example of a synarthrosis, an immobile or essentially immobile joint.
Amphiarthrosis
An amphiarthrosis is a joint that has limited mobility. An example of this type of joint is the cartilaginous joint that unites the bodies of adjacent vertebrae. Filling the gap between the vertebrae is a thick pad of fibrocartilage called an intervertebral disc (image). Each intervertebral disc strongly unites the vertebrae but still allows for a limited amount of movement between them. However, the small movements available between adjacent vertebrae can sum together along the length of the vertebral column to provide for large ranges of body movements.
Another example of an amphiarthrosis is the pubic symphysis of the pelvis. This is a cartilaginous joint in which the pubic regions of the right and left hip bones are strongly anchored to each other by fibrocartilage. This joint normally has very little mobility. The strength of the pubic symphysis is important in conferring weight-bearing stability to the pelvis.
Intervertebral Disc
An intervertebral disc unites the bodies of adjacent vertebrae within the vertebral column. Each disc allows for limited movement between the vertebrae and thus functionally forms an amphiarthrosis type of joint. Intervertebral discs are made of fibrocartilage and thereby structurally form a symphysis type of cartilaginous joint.
Diarthrosis
A freely mobile joint is classified as a diarthrosis. These types of joints include all synovial joints of the body, which provide the majority of body movements. Most diarthrotic joints are found in the appendicular skeleton and thus give the limbs a wide range of motion. These joints are divided into three categories, based on the number of axes of motion provided by each. An axis in anatomy is described as the movements in reference to the three anatomical planes: transverse, frontal, and sagittal. Thus, diarthroses are classified as uniaxial (for movement in one plane), biaxial (for movement in two planes), or multiaxial joints (for movement in all three anatomical planes).
A uniaxial joint only allows for a motion in a single plane (around a single axis). The elbow joint, which only allows for bending or straightening, is an example of a uniaxial joint. A biaxial joint allows for motions within two planes. An example of a biaxial joint is a metacarpophalangeal joint (knuckle joint) of the hand. The joint allows for movement along one axis to produce bending or straightening of the finger, and movement along a second axis, which allows for spreading of the fingers away from each other and bringing them together. A joint that allows for the several directions of movement is called a multiaxial joint (polyaxial or triaxial joint). This type of diarthrotic joint allows for movement along three axes (image). The shoulder and hip joints are multiaxial joints. They allow the upper or lower limb to move in an anterior-posterior direction and a medial-lateral direction. In addition, the limb can also be rotated around its long axis. This third movement results in rotation of the limb so that its anterior surface is moved either toward or away from the midline of the body.
Multiaxial Joint
A multiaxial joint, such as the hip joint, allows for three types of movement: anterior-posterior, medial-lateral, and rotational.
Source: CNX OpenStax
Additional Materials (3)
Skeletal structure and function | Muscular-skeletal system physiology | NCLEX-RN | Khan Academy
Video by khanacademymedicine/YouTube
Anatomy and Physiology of Articulations Joints
Video by New Anatomy and Physiology Video/YouTube
Joints: Crash Course A&P #20
Video by CrashCourse/YouTube
6:52
Skeletal structure and function | Muscular-skeletal system physiology | NCLEX-RN | Khan Academy
khanacademymedicine/YouTube
26:38
Anatomy and Physiology of Articulations Joints
New Anatomy and Physiology Video/YouTube
9:23
Joints: Crash Course A&P #20
CrashCourse/YouTube
Structural Classification
A medical illustration depicting the synovial joint
Image by BruceBlaus
A medical illustration depicting the synovial joint
A medical illustration depicting the synovial joint
Image by BruceBlaus
Structural Classification of Joints
The structural classification of joints is based on whether the articulating surfaces of the adjacent bones are directly connected by fibrous connective tissue or cartilage, or whether the articulating surfaces contact each other within a fluid-filled joint cavity. These differences serve to divide the joints of the body into three structural classifications. A fibrous joint is where the adjacent bones are united by fibrous connective tissue. At a cartilaginous joint, the bones are joined by hyaline cartilage or fibrocartilage. At a synovial joint, the articulating surfaces of the bones are not directly connected, but instead come into contact with each other within a joint cavity that is filled with a lubricating fluid. Synovial joints allow for free movement between the bones and are the most common joints of the body.
Source: CNX OpenStax
Additional Materials (7)
Types of Joints: Synovial, Fibrous, Cartilaginous
Video by EmpoweRN/YouTube
Types of Synovial Joints
Video by geneedinc/YouTube
Synovial Joints
Video by Medic Tutorials - Medicine and Language/YouTube
Fibrous Joints
Video by Medic Tutorials - Medicine and Language/YouTube
Cartilaginous Joints
Video by Medic Tutorials - Medicine and Language/YouTube
Cartiliginous Joints
Cartiliginous Joints
Image by OpenStax College
Fibrous Joints
Image by OpenStax College
6:22
Types of Joints: Synovial, Fibrous, Cartilaginous
EmpoweRN/YouTube
1:23
Types of Synovial Joints
geneedinc/YouTube
8:04
Synovial Joints
Medic Tutorials - Medicine and Language/YouTube
4:46
Fibrous Joints
Medic Tutorials - Medicine and Language/YouTube
3:32
Cartilaginous Joints
Medic Tutorials - Medicine and Language/YouTube
Cartiliginous Joints
OpenStax College
Fibrous Joints
OpenStax College
Elbow Joint
Skeleton and bones - Elbow - Anterior view Frontal view
Image by Laboratoires Servier
/Wikimedia
Skeleton and bones - Elbow - Anterior view Frontal view
Skeleton and bones - Elbow - Anterior view Frontal view
Image by Laboratoires Servier
/Wikimedia
Elbow Joint
Elbow Joint
The elbow joint is a uniaxial hinge joint formed by the humeroulnar joint, the articulation between the trochlea of the humerus and the trochlear notch of the ulna. Also associated with the elbow are the humeroradial joint and the proximal radioulnar joint. All three of these joints are enclosed within a single articular capsule (image).
The articular capsule of the elbow is thin on its anterior and posterior aspects, but is thickened along its outside margins by strong intrinsic ligaments. These ligaments prevent side-to-side movements and hyperextension. On the medial side is the triangular ulnar collateral ligament. This arises from the medial epicondyle of the humerus and attaches to the medial side of the proximal ulna. The strongest part of this ligament is the anterior portion, which resists hyperextension of the elbow. The ulnar collateral ligament may be injured by frequent, forceful extensions of the forearm, as is seen in baseball pitchers. Reconstructive surgical repair of this ligament is referred to as Tommy John surgery, named for the former major league pitcher who was the first person to have this treatment.
The lateral side of the elbow is supported by the radial collateral ligament. This arises from the lateral epicondyle of the humerus and then blends into the lateral side of the annular ligament. The annular ligament encircles the head of the radius. This ligament supports the head of the radius as it articulates with the radial notch of the ulna at the proximal radioulnar joint. This is a pivot joint that allows for rotation of the radius during supination and pronation of the forearm.
(a) The elbow is a hinge joint that allows only for flexion and extension of the forearm. (b) It is supported by the ulnar and radial collateral ligaments. (c) The annular ligament supports the head of the radius at the proximal radioulnar joint, the pivot joint that allows for rotation of the radius.
Source: CNX OpenStax
Additional Materials (11)
Elbow subluxation
Image by Injurymap.com
Projectional radiography
AP and Lateral of an Elbow. This demonstrates the technique of two views at 90° to each other.
Image by Glitzy queen00 at English Wikipedia
Arm bones
Illustration of upper extremity
Image by US Government cancer.gov
Elbow Anatomy
Image by Injurymap.com
Elbow nerves
Image by Injurymap.com
Elbow Injuries and Disorders
Elbow Injuries and Disorders
Image by TheVisualMD
Anatomy of the ulnar collateral ligament in the pitcher's elbow
The orientation of the ulna, radius, and humerus is in accordance with the elbow position of the throwing figure on the right.
Image by R.J. Molenaars/Wikimedia
elbow
Image by sethoscope
Arm
Anatomical Drawing of an Arm
Image by NIAMS/NIH
Joints and Skeletal Movement
The elbow joint, where the radius articulates with the humerus, is an example of a hinge joint. (credit: modification of work by Brian C. Goss)
Image by CNX Openstax (credit: modification of work by Brian C. Goss)
Elbow injury
Elbow injury
Image by TheVisualMD
Elbow subluxation
Injurymap.com
Projectional radiography
Glitzy queen00 at English Wikipedia
Arm bones
US Government cancer.gov
Elbow Anatomy
Injurymap.com
Elbow nerves
Injurymap.com
Elbow Injuries and Disorders
TheVisualMD
Anatomy of the ulnar collateral ligament in the pitcher's elbow
R.J. Molenaars/Wikimedia
elbow
sethoscope
Arm
NIAMS/NIH
Joints and Skeletal Movement
CNX Openstax (credit: modification of work by Brian C. Goss)
Elbow injury
TheVisualMD
Hip Joint
Hip Muscles
Hip, Muscles and Ligaments
Hip, Muscle, Ligaments and Bursae
Hip, Ligaments, Muscle
Hip Ligaments
1
2
3
4
5
Hip Anatomy
Interactive by TheVisualMD
Hip Muscles
Hip, Muscles and Ligaments
Hip, Muscle, Ligaments and Bursae
Hip, Ligaments, Muscle
Hip Ligaments
1
2
3
4
5
Hip Anatomy
Interactive by TheVisualMD
Hip Joint
The hip joint is a multiaxial ball-and-socket joint between the head of the femur and the acetabulum of the hip bone (image). The hip carries the weight of the body and thus requires strength and stability during standing and walking. For these reasons, its range of motion is more limited than at the shoulder joint.
The acetabulum is the socket portion of the hip joint. This space is deep and has a large articulation area for the femoral head, thus giving stability and weight bearing ability to the joint. The acetabulum is further deepened by the acetabular labrum, a fibrocartilage lip attached to the outer margin of the acetabulum. The surrounding articular capsule is strong, with several thickened areas forming intrinsic ligaments. These ligaments arise from the hip bone, at the margins of the acetabulum, and attach to the femur at the base of the neck. The ligaments are the iliofemoral ligament, pubofemoral ligament, and ischiofemoral ligament, all of which spiral around the head and neck of the femur. The ligaments are tightened by extension at the hip, thus pulling the head of the femur tightly into the acetabulum when in the upright, standing position. Very little additional extension of the thigh is permitted beyond this vertical position. These ligaments thus stabilize the hip joint and allow you to maintain an upright standing position with only minimal muscle contraction. Inside of the articular capsule, the ligament of the head of the femur (ligamentum teres) spans between the acetabulum and femoral head. This intracapsular ligament is normally slack and does not provide any significant joint support, but it does provide a pathway for an important artery that supplies the head of the femur.
The hip is prone to osteoarthritis, and thus was the first joint for which a replacement prosthesis was developed. A common injury in elderly individuals, particularly those with weakened bones due to osteoporosis, is a “broken hip,” which is actually a fracture of the femoral neck. This may result from a fall, or it may cause the fall. This can happen as one lower limb is taking a step and all of the body weight is placed on the other limb, causing the femoral neck to break and producing a fall. Any accompanying disruption of the blood supply to the femoral neck or head can lead to necrosis of these areas, resulting in bone and cartilage death. Femoral fractures usually require surgical treatment, after which the patient will need mobility assistance for a prolonged period, either from family members or in a long-term care facility. Consequentially, the associated health care costs of “broken hips” are substantial. In addition, hip fractures are associated with increased rates of morbidity (incidences of disease) and mortality (death). Surgery for a hip fracture followed by prolonged bed rest may lead to life-threatening complications, including pneumonia, infection of pressure ulcers (bedsores), and thrombophlebitis (deep vein thrombosis; blood clot formation) that can result in a pulmonary embolism (blood clot within the lung).
Hip Joint
(a) The ball-and-socket joint of the hip is a multiaxial joint that provides both stability and a wide range of motion. (b–c) When standing, the supporting ligaments are tight, pulling the head of the femur into the acetabulum.
Source: CNX OpenStax
Additional Materials (33)
Hip is a ball-and-socket joint
The hip is a ball-and-socket joint located where the femur (thigh bone) meets the pelvic cone. Its ball-and-socket construction permits the hip joint a large range of motion, second only to that of the shoulder. (This large range of motion is restricted somewhat by the soft tissues of the hip joint.) The hip joint supports much of your weight when you are standing, walking, or running. When you sit, the load is largely transferred to the ischial tuberosities (sit bones). The femoral ball-the ball-shaped head of the femur-is the moving part of the hip joint. It fits into a hollow socket in the hip called the acetabulum. The acetabulum holds about half of the femoral ball. The femoral ball is attached to the femur by a thin neck region. This is the part of the hip joint that most often fractures in the elderly. The femoral ball and the inner surface of the acetabulum are covered in articular cartilage, providing a smooth contact surface. The acetabulum has a rim made of fibrocartilage called the labrum, which acts as a kind of gasket. The labrum helps to hold the femoral ball in place. The hip joint capsule, a thick, fibrous sheath of connective tissue, surrounds the entire hip joint and helps to hold it firmly together.
Image by TheVisualMD
Hip Anatomy
Hip Anatomy. See a related animation of this medical topic.
Image by BruceBlaus
The bones of the hip (anterior view)
Image by sportEX journals
Flexion and extension of the hip
Image by sportEX journals
The iliofemoral, pubofemoral and ischiofemoral ligaments limit hip motion.
Image by sportEX journals
Movement of Joints
The human skeleton is composed of more than 200 bones, and all of them are held together by joints. There are three different types of joints:
Fibrous (immovable) joints are held together by a thin layer of strong connective tissue. There is no movement between the bones. Examples of fibrous joints are your teeth in their sockets and the sutures of your skull.
Cartilaginous joints feature bones that are held together by cartilaginous discs and ligaments. They allow only limited movement. Examples are the joints between your vertebrae.
Synovial joints move freely and are the most common type of joint in your body. The knee, hip, shoulder, elbow, and many other joints in your body are synovial joints.
Image by TheVisualMD
Pelvis
The pelvic girdle is formed by a single hip bone. The hip bone attaches the lower limb to the axial skeleton through its articulation with the sacrum. The right and left hip bones, plus the sacrum and the coccyx, together form the pelvis.
Image by CNX Openstax
Hip extensor muscles
Image by sportEX journals
Key ligaments providing stability to the hip joint
Image by sportEX journals
Bones Of The Hip - Structure Of The Hip - Pelvic Girdle Anatomy - Bones Of The Pelvis
An illustration depicting typical pain in the hip and groin area. A common musculoskeletal ailment.
Image by Injurymap.com
Hip Joint
Image by Smith & Nephew
Hip Joint Cartilage
The hip is a ball-and-socket joint located where the femur (thigh bone) meets the pelvic cone. Its ball-and-socket construction permits the hip joint a large range of motion, second only to that of the shoulder. (This large range of motion is restricted somewhat by the soft tissues of the hip joint.) The hip joint supports much of your weight when you are standing, walking, or running. When you sit, the load is largely transferred to the ischial tuberosities (sit bones). The femoral ball-the ball-shaped head of the femur-is the moving part of the hip joint. It fits into a hollow socket in the hip called the acetabulum. The acetabulum holds about half of the femoral ball. The femoral ball is attached to the femur by a thin neck region. This is the part of the hip joint that most often fractures in the elderly. The femoral ball and the inner surface of the acetabulum are covered in articular cartilage, providing a smooth contact surface. The acetabulum has a rim made of fibrocartilage called the labrum, which acts as a kind of gasket. The labrum helps to hold the femoral ball in place. The hip joint capsule, a thick, fibrous sheath of connective tissue, surrounds the entire hip joint and helps to hold it firmly together.
Image by TheVisualMD
Hip Ligaments
The hip is a ball-and-socket joint located where the femur (thigh bone) meets the pelvic cone. Its ball-and-socket construction permits the hip joint a large range of motion, second only to that of the shoulder. (This large range of motion is restricted somewhat by the soft tissues of the hip joint.) The hip joint supports much of your weight when you are standing, walking, or running. When you sit, the load is largely transferred to the ischial tuberosities (sit bones). The femoral ball-the ball-shaped head of the femur-is the moving part of the hip joint. It fits into a hollow socket in the hip called the acetabulum. The acetabulum holds about half of the femoral ball. The femoral ball is attached to the femur by a thin neck region, and this is the part of the hip joint that most often fractures in the elderly. The hip joint capsule, a thick, fibrous sheath of connective tissue, surrounds the entire hip joint and helps to hold it firmly together. This connection is reinforced by five ligaments. Ligaments are strong, elastic bands of tissue that connect bone to bone. Four of these ligaments lie outside of the capsule and one lies inside it. One of them, the twisted, Y-shaped iliofemoral ligament, is the strongest ligament in the human body.
Image by TheVisualMD
Psoas major muscle
Anterior Hip Muscles
Image by Beth ohara
Hip fracture
Image Capture : Classification of hip fractures.
Image by Mikael Haggstrom, using image by Mariana Ruiz Villarreal (LadyofHats)
The Hip Bone
The adult hip bone consists of three regions. The ilium forms the large, fan-shaped superior portion, the ischium forms the posteroinferior portion, and the pubis forms the anteromedial portion.
Image by CNX Openstax
Male Hip Bone
Male hip bone (shown in red).
Image by Anatomography
Healthy Knee and Hip Joint
View of Bone Knee Joint
The knee is the joint that is most commonly affected by osteoarthritis. Knee pain is the primary symptom associated with the knee osteoarthritis. Knee pain can be debilitating and disabling. Keeping up with your usual daily activities is made difficult, to say the least. That is why managing knee pain successfully is so important. There are many knee pain treatment options, and it may take several attempts to find what works best for you. Knee osteoarthritis is the most common type of osteoarthritis. More than 10 million Americans have knee osteoarthritis. It is also the most common cause of disability in the United States. Early diagnosis and treatment help manage knee osteoarthritis symptoms.
View of Hip Joint
The pelvis attaches the lower limbs to the axial skeleton, transmits the weight of the upper body to the lower limbs and supports the organs in the pelvis. Being overweight increases the load placed on the joints such as the hip and knee, which increases stress and could possibly hasten the breakdown of cartilage. Being only 10 pounds overweight increases the force on the knee by 30-60 pounds with each step.
Image by TheVisualMD
NIST Measuring Device Aims to Up Hip Operation Success
NIST Measuring Device Aims to Up Hip Operation Success
Image by National Institute of Standards and Technology
Slippery Business
Synovial joints are encased in a capsule that holds slippery synovial fluid. A healthy synovial joint moves with less friction than a frozen hockey puck over ice. Parts of a synovial joint include muscles, ligaments, bursae, menisci, and cartilage. Your knee joint is the largest joint in your body. Because it carries most of your weight, the knee requires a great deal of cushioning. The hip is a ball-and-socket joint located where your femur (thigh bone) meets your pelvic cone. The femoral ball—the ball-shaped head of the femur—fits into a hollow socket in the hip called the acetabulum. The femoral ball is attached to the femur by a thin neck region, and this is the part of the hip joint that most often fractures in the elderly.
Image by TheVisualMD
Male Hip Bone
Image by Anatomography
acetabulum
Acetabulum. Shown in red.
Image by BodyParts3D is made by DBCLS
Ball-and-socket joint
This diagram shows the anatomy of the ball and socket joint found in the hip. A ball and socket joint is a type of synovial joint in which the round surface of one bone fits into a round depression of another bone.
Image by Kcotton15
Female Pelvis
Image of a female pelvis. Women have wider hips as a result of a more open pelvis for childbearing. This increases the angle between the pelvis and thighbone and makes it harder for women to raise their knees as high as men. On the other hand lower hips create a lower center of gravity, making women's body more stable.
Image by TheVisualMD
Hip anatomy
Image by Injurymap.com
Ligaments of Pelvis Anatomy
Ligaments of Pelvis
Image by OpenStax College
Pelvis
Pelvis Shown in red.
Image by BodyParts3D is made by DBCLS
Pelvis
The same human pelvis, front imaged by x-ray (top), magnetic resonance imaging (middle), and 3-dimensional computed tomography (bottom).
Image by Bjoertvedt
Hip is a ball-and-socket joint
TheVisualMD
Hip Anatomy
BruceBlaus
The bones of the hip (anterior view)
sportEX journals
Flexion and extension of the hip
sportEX journals
The iliofemoral, pubofemoral and ischiofemoral ligaments limit hip motion.
sportEX journals
Movement of Joints
TheVisualMD
Pelvis
CNX Openstax
Hip extensor muscles
sportEX journals
Key ligaments providing stability to the hip joint
sportEX journals
1:09
Bones Of The Hip - Structure Of The Hip - Pelvic Girdle Anatomy - Bones Of The Pelvis
Mikael Haggstrom, using image by Mariana Ruiz Villarreal (LadyofHats)
The Hip Bone
CNX Openstax
Male Hip Bone
Anatomography
Healthy Knee and Hip Joint
TheVisualMD
NIST Measuring Device Aims to Up Hip Operation Success
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Slippery Business
TheVisualMD
Male Hip Bone
Anatomography
acetabulum
BodyParts3D is made by DBCLS
Ball-and-socket joint
Kcotton15
Female Pelvis
TheVisualMD
Hip anatomy
Injurymap.com
Ligaments of Pelvis Anatomy
OpenStax College
Pelvis
BodyParts3D is made by DBCLS
Pelvis
Bjoertvedt
Knee Joint
All
Anterior Cruciate Ligament
Ligaments
Menisci
Posterior Cruciate Ligament
1
2
3
4
5
Knee Joint
Interactive by TheVisualMD
All
Anterior Cruciate Ligament
Ligaments
Menisci
Posterior Cruciate Ligament
1
2
3
4
5
Knee Joint
The ligaments that hold the bones of your knee joint in place benefit from slow, careful stretching. Keeping the surrounding muscles flexible and strong helps protect the entire joint. Slowly flexing the knee while standing, by holding your foot in your hand behind you for 30 seconds, will stretch your quadriceps and increase the range of motion in your ACL. Slowly stretching forward while seated, like the woman pictured, will stretch your hamstrings and keep the PCL flexible.
Interactive by TheVisualMD
Knee Joint
The knee joint is the largest joint of the body (Figure). It actually consists of three articulations. The femoropatellar joint is found between the patella and the distal femur. The medial tibiofemoral joint and lateral tibiofemoral joint are located between the medial and lateral condyles of the femur and the medial and lateral condyles of the tibia. All of these articulations are enclosed within a single articular capsule. The knee functions as a hinge joint, allowing flexion and extension of the leg. This action is generated by both rolling and gliding motions of the femur on the tibia. In addition, some rotation of the leg is available when the knee is flexed, but not when extended. The knee is well constructed for weight bearing in its extended position, but is vulnerable to injuries associated with hyperextension, twisting, or blows to the medial or lateral side of the joint, particularly while weight bearing.
At the femoropatellar joint, the patella slides vertically within a groove on the distal femur. The patella is a sesamoid bone incorporated into the tendon of the quadriceps femoris muscle, the large muscle of the anterior thigh. The patella serves to protect the quadriceps tendon from friction against the distal femur. Continuing from the patella to the anterior tibia just below the knee is the patellar ligament. Acting via the patella and patellar ligament, the quadriceps femoris is a powerful muscle that acts to extend the leg at the knee. It also serves as a “dynamic ligament” to provide very important support and stabilization for the knee joint.
The medial and lateral tibiofemoral joints are the articulations between the rounded condyles of the femur and the relatively flat condyles of the tibia. During flexion and extension motions, the condyles of the femur both roll and glide over the surfaces of the tibia. The rolling action produces flexion or extension, while the gliding action serves to maintain the femoral condyles centered over the tibial condyles, thus ensuring maximal bony, weight-bearing support for the femur in all knee positions. As the knee comes into full extension, the femur undergoes a slight medial rotation in relation to tibia. The rotation results because the lateral condyle of the femur is slightly smaller than the medial condyle. Thus, the lateral condyle finishes its rolling motion first, followed by the medial condyle. The resulting small medial rotation of the femur serves to “lock” the knee into its fully extended and most stable position. Flexion of the knee is initiated by a slight lateral rotation of the femur on the tibia, which “unlocks” the knee. This lateral rotation motion is produced by the popliteus muscle of the posterior leg.
Located between the articulating surfaces of the femur and tibia are two articular discs, the medial meniscus and lateral meniscus (see Figureb). Each is a C-shaped fibrocartilage structure that is thin along its inside margin and thick along the outer margin. They are attached to their tibial condyles, but do not attach to the femur. While both menisci are free to move during knee motions, the medial meniscus shows less movement because it is anchored at its outer margin to the articular capsule and tibial collateral ligament. The menisci provide padding between the bones and help to fill the gap between the round femoral condyles and flattened tibial condyles. Some areas of each meniscus lack an arterial blood supply and thus these areas heal poorly if damaged.
The knee joint has multiple ligaments that provide support, particularly in the extended position (see Figurec). Outside of the articular capsule, located at the sides of the knee, are two extrinsic ligaments. The fibular collateral ligament(lateral collateral ligament) is on the lateral side and spans from the lateral epicondyle of the femur to the head of the fibula. The tibial collateral ligament(medial collateral ligament) of the medial knee runs from the medial epicondyle of the femur to the medial tibia. As it crosses the knee, the tibial collateral ligament is firmly attached on its deep side to the articular capsule and to the medial meniscus, an important factor when considering knee injuries. In the fully extended knee position, both collateral ligaments are taut (tight), thus serving to stabilize and support the extended knee and preventing side-to-side or rotational motions between the femur and tibia.
The articular capsule of the posterior knee is thickened by intrinsic ligaments that help to resist knee hyperextension. Inside the knee are two intracapsular ligaments, the anterior cruciate ligament and posterior cruciate ligament. These ligaments are anchored inferiorly to the tibia at the intercondylar eminence, the roughened area between the tibial condyles. The cruciate ligaments are named for whether they are attached anteriorly or posteriorly to this tibial region. Each ligament runs diagonally upward to attach to the inner aspect of a femoral condyle. The cruciate ligaments are named for the X-shape formed as they pass each other (cruciate means “cross”). The posterior cruciate ligament is the stronger ligament. It serves to support the knee when it is flexed and weight bearing, as when walking downhill. In this position, the posterior cruciate ligament prevents the femur from sliding anteriorly off the top of the tibia. The anterior cruciate ligament becomes tight when the knee is extended, and thus resists hyperextension.
Knee Joint
(a) The knee joint is the largest joint of the body. (b)–(c) It is supported by the tibial and fibular collateral ligaments located on the sides of the knee outside of the articular capsule, and the anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments found inside the capsule. The medial and lateral menisci provide padding and support between the femoral condyles and tibial condyles.
Source: CNX OpenStax
Additional Materials (26)
Knee Joint
A simple (and yes rather crappy) diagram showing an unfolding suprapatellar synovial recess in a flexing knee.
Image by Addingrefs
Human Leg
Human Leg
Image by TheVisualMD
Knee Anatomy Animated Tutorial
Video by Randale Sechrest/YouTube
Clinical Anatomy - Knee mensicus and knee joint
Video by Armando Hasudungan/YouTube
Q Angle Of The Knee - Everything You Need To Know - Dr. Nabil Ebraheim
Video by nabil ebraheim/YouTube
Knee Ligament Anatomy Animation
Video by BertramZarinsMD/YouTube
Knee anatomy and patellofemoral pain
Video by BioSkinBracing/YouTube
Clinical Anatomy - Knee
Video by Armando Hasudungan/YouTube
The Knee Joint
Video by Medic Tutorials - Medicine and Language/YouTube
How to stretch knee muscle | A Episode 67
Video by Pain Relief Expert/YouTube
How to improve knee health | A Episode 76
Video by Pain Relief Expert/YouTube
Knee Joint - Part 1 - 3D Anatomy Tutorial
Video by AnatomyZone/YouTube
Anatomy Of The Knee - Everything You Need To Know - Dr. Nabil Ebraheim
Medial view of the knee showing anatomical features.
Image by National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)
Knee
Rendering of the human knee anatomy
Image by Kari Stammen
Knee Joint
Frontal view of Knee Joint anatomy
Image by Image by Blausen.com staff. \"Blausen gallery 2014\". Wikiversity Journal of Medicine. DOI:10.15347/wjm/2014.010. ISSN 20018762
Knee Joint
Knee Anatomy. See a related animation of this medical topic.
Image by Blausen.com staff (2014). \"Medical gallery of Blausen Medical 2014\". WikiJournal of Medicine 1 (2). DOI:10.15347/wjm/2014.010. ISSN 2002-4436
Healthy meniscus in the knee
Healthy meniscus in the knee
Image by BruceBlaus / Andrewmeyerson
Knee Joint
A close-up illustration shows a knee joint, visible from mid-thigh to mid-calf. Leg muscles are visible, along with the bones, cartilage and ligaments that form the intricate knee joints. Knees are a common site of overuse injuries among athletes at all levels of fitness, as they support much of the body's weight during any weight-bearing exercise.
Image by TheVisualMD
Right Knee
Computer generated image of the medial side of the right knee. The knee is a hinge joint and its primary movements are flexion and extension, as well as slight medial and lateral rotation.
Image by TheVisualMD
Anterior cruciate ligaments
Anterior cruciate ligament : Right knee.
Image by Mysid
Knee, Ankle Joints and Running Leg
Knee, Ankle Joints and Running Leg
Image by TheVisualMD
Knee with Ruptured Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL)
Image of a knee highlighting a ruptured Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) - one of the two main stabilizing ligaments in the knee. An ACL becomes torn when it's stretched beyond its normal range of elasticity. Generally, the injury occurs during exercise or sports, although a torn ACL doesn't usually result from contact between players. Once the ligament tears, it doesn't heal - it remains loose. Injuries to the ACL are among the most common of all sports-related knee injuries.
Image by TheVisualMD
Normal Knee
The knee joint, the largest joint in the body, connects the femur (thigh bone), tibia (shin bone), fibula (outer shin bone), and patella (kneecap). Although it is a hinge joint, with a limited range of motion, the knee joint is very complex. It is composed of three compartments that permit its sliding, slightly rotating motion. The knee joint has an extensive network of muscles, ligaments, and tendons that hold it together, stabilize it, and permit it to move. Unlike the hip joint, the knee doesn't gain any stability from its bone structure. It depends completely on its ligaments, muscles, tendons and cartilage-and that's one reason it's so prone to injury. Because it carries most of the body's weight, and because that load is compounded with each step, the knee requires a great deal of cushioning. It contains two types of cartilage: fibrocartilage (the menisci) and hyaline cartilage. Three fluid sacs called bursae surround the knee joint and provide a smooth sliding surface for tendons. Large blood vessels pass through the area behind the knee, called the popliteal space. Like all synovial joints, the knee joint is bathed in synovial fluid. The large muscles of the thigh, the hamstrings and quadriceps muscles, move the knee. They also play a vital role in stabilizing the knee joint.
Image by TheVisualMD
Three Views of the Knee and leg
Three Views of the Knee and leg
Image by TheVisualMD
Knee Joint
Addingrefs
Human Leg
TheVisualMD
10:57
Knee Anatomy Animated Tutorial
Randale Sechrest/YouTube
8:24
Clinical Anatomy - Knee mensicus and knee joint
Armando Hasudungan/YouTube
3:00
Q Angle Of The Knee - Everything You Need To Know - Dr. Nabil Ebraheim
nabil ebraheim/YouTube
2:09
Knee Ligament Anatomy Animation
BertramZarinsMD/YouTube
3:14
Knee anatomy and patellofemoral pain
BioSkinBracing/YouTube
15:08
Clinical Anatomy - Knee
Armando Hasudungan/YouTube
6:15
The Knee Joint
Medic Tutorials - Medicine and Language/YouTube
3:20
How to stretch knee muscle | A Episode 67
Pain Relief Expert/YouTube
3:17
How to improve knee health | A Episode 76
Pain Relief Expert/YouTube
6:58
Knee Joint - Part 1 - 3D Anatomy Tutorial
AnatomyZone/YouTube
7:23
Anatomy Of The Knee - Everything You Need To Know - Dr. Nabil Ebraheim
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)
Knee
Kari Stammen
Knee Joint
Image by Blausen.com staff. \"Blausen gallery 2014\". Wikiversity Journal of Medicine. DOI:10.15347/wjm/2014.010. ISSN 20018762
Knee Joint
Blausen.com staff (2014). \"Medical gallery of Blausen Medical 2014\". WikiJournal of Medicine 1 (2). DOI:10.15347/wjm/2014.010. ISSN 2002-4436
Healthy meniscus in the knee
BruceBlaus / Andrewmeyerson
Knee Joint
TheVisualMD
Right Knee
TheVisualMD
Anterior cruciate ligaments
Mysid
Knee, Ankle Joints and Running Leg
TheVisualMD
Knee with Ruptured Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL)
TheVisualMD
Normal Knee
TheVisualMD
Three Views of the Knee and leg
TheVisualMD
Shoulder Joints
Clavicle and Head of Humerus Showing Arthritis of Shoulder Joint
Image by TheVisualMD
Clavicle and Head of Humerus Showing Arthritis of Shoulder Joint
Computer generated image of a human shoulder joint based on segmented human data. The cutaway of the deltoid muscle reveals arthritis of the shoulder joint. The round head of the humerus bone is no longer smooth due to the degeneration of the bone. Pain and a decrease in a motion are common symptoms of arthritis of the right shoulder.
Image by TheVisualMD
Shoulder Joints
The shoulder joint is called the glenohumeral joint. This is a ball-and-socket joint formed by the articulation between the head of the humerus and the glenoid cavity of the scapula (image). This joint has the largest range of motion of any joint in the body. However, this freedom of movement is due to the lack of structural support and thus the enhanced mobility is offset by a loss of stability.
Glenohumeral Joint
The glenohumeral (shoulder) joint is a ball-and-socket joint that provides the widest range of motions. It has a loose articular capsule and is supported by ligaments and the rotator cuff muscles.
The large range of motions at the shoulder joint is provided by the articulation of the large, rounded humeral head with the small and shallow glenoid cavity, which is only about one third of the size of the humeral head. The socket formed by the glenoid cavity is deepened slightly by a small lip of fibrocartilage called the glenoid labrum, which extends around the outer margin of the cavity. The articular capsule that surrounds the glenohumeral joint is relatively thin and loose to allow for large motions of the upper limb. Some structural support for the joint is provided by thickenings of the articular capsule wall that form weak intrinsic ligaments. These include the coracohumeral ligament, running from the coracoid process of the scapula to the anterior humerus, and three ligaments, each called a glenohumeral ligament, located on the anterior side of the articular capsule. These ligaments help to strengthen the superior and anterior capsule walls.
However, the primary support for the shoulder joint is provided by muscles crossing the joint, particularly the four rotator cuff muscles. These muscles (supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis) arise from the scapula and attach to the greater or lesser tubercles of the humerus. As these muscles cross the shoulder joint, their tendons encircle the head of the humerus and become fused to the anterior, superior, and posterior walls of the articular capsule. The thickening of the capsule formed by the fusion of these four muscle tendons is called the rotator cuff. Two bursae, the subacromial bursa and the subscapular bursa, help to prevent friction between the rotator cuff muscle tendons and the scapula as these tendons cross the glenohumeral joint. In addition to their individual actions of moving the upper limb, the rotator cuff muscles also serve to hold the head of the humerus in position within the glenoid cavity. By constantly adjusting their strength of contraction to resist forces acting on the shoulder, these muscles serve as “dynamic ligaments” and thus provide the primary structural support for the glenohumeral joint.
Injuries to the shoulder joint are common. Repetitive use of the upper limb, particularly in abduction such as during throwing, swimming, or racquet sports, may lead to acute or chronic inflammation of the bursa or muscle tendons, a tear of the glenoid labrum, or degeneration or tears of the rotator cuff. Because the humeral head is strongly supported by muscles and ligaments around its anterior, superior, and posterior aspects, most dislocations of the humerus occur in an inferior direction. This can occur when force is applied to the humerus when the upper limb is fully abducted, as when diving to catch a baseball and landing on your hand or elbow. Inflammatory responses to any shoulder injury can lead to the formation of scar tissue between the articular capsule and surrounding structures, thus reducing shoulder mobility, a condition called adhesive capsulitis (“frozen shoulder”).
Source: CNX OpenStax
Additional Materials (13)
Shoulder Joint Displaying Humerus and Scapula
3D visualization based on segmented human data of the shoulder joint. The shoulder, the most freely moving joint of the body, is an example of a ball and socket joint. The hemispherical head of the humerus fits into the small, shallow cavity of the scapula allowing a great range of motion
Image by TheVisualMD
Skeletal Anatomy of Shoulder
The humerus (the upper arm bone), the scapula (shoulder blade), and the clavicle (collar bone) are the bones that make up the shoulder.
Image by TheVisualMD
Shoulder Joint
Deltoid Muscle Revealing Shoulder Joint : Computer generated image of a human shoulder joint based on segmented human data. The cutaway of the deltoid muscle reveals the shoulder joint. The round head of the humerus bone is surrounded by several ligaments and a bursal sac. The acromium and coracoid process of the scapula bone are also depicted.
Image by TheVisualMD
Shoulder Joint
Illustration of Shoulder Joint
Image by OpenStax College
Shoulder Joint
Shoulder Joint. See a full animation of this medical topic.
Shoulder Joint Displaying Humerus, Clavicle, Rotator Cuff and Scapula : Computer generated image of a human shoulder joint based on segmented human data. The coronal section of the humerus bone shows the spongy core of cancellous bone surrounded by the a dense compact area. Some muscles of the shoulder joint are shown in section. The clavicle bone articulates with the sternum and the acromial process of the scapula.
Image by TheVisualMD
Humerus
Left Shoulder Displaying Scapula and Humerus : Posterior view of left shoulder of skeleton : proximal part of humerus, scapula, acromion process of clavicle. The articulations between the bones of the shoulder make up the shoulder joints. The glenohumeral joint is the main joint of the shoulder formed by the articulation between the head of the humerus and the lateral scapula.
Image by TheVisualMD
Rotator cuff
Human right shoulder joint, seen from lateral side. Bones drawn are scapula and humerus. Muscles shown are subscapularis muscle (shown at right), infraspinatus muscle (shown at upper left), teres minor muscle (shown at bottom left).
Image by Young Lae, Moon M.D. Chair of 3D Based Medical Application Working group. Chairman and Professor of Orthopaedics, Chosun University Hospital, Korea
Rotator cuff
This illustration shows the main structures of the shoulder. The bursa, rotator cuff tendons, humerus, biceps muscle, clavicle, and scapula are labeled.
Image by Young Lae, Moon M.D. Chair of 3D Based Medical Application Working group. Chairman and Professor of Orthopaedics, Chosun University Hospital, Korea
Shoulder joint: Movements, bones and muscles - Human Anatomy | Kenhub
Video by Kenhub - Learn Human Anatomy/YouTube
Muscles of the upper arm and shoulder blade - Human Anatomy | Kenhub
Young Lae, Moon M.D. Chair of 3D Based Medical Application Working group. Chairman and Professor of Orthopaedics, Chosun University Hospital, Korea
Rotator cuff
Young Lae, Moon M.D. Chair of 3D Based Medical Application Working group. Chairman and Professor of Orthopaedics, Chosun University Hospital, Korea
20:28
Shoulder joint: Movements, bones and muscles - Human Anatomy | Kenhub
Kenhub - Learn Human Anatomy/YouTube
15:52
Muscles of the upper arm and shoulder blade - Human Anatomy | Kenhub
Kenhub - Learn Human Anatomy/YouTube
6:53
Shoulder Anatomy Animated Tutorial
Randale Sechrest/YouTube
10:26
Rotator Cuff | 3D Anatomy Tutorial
AnatomyZone/YouTube
Temporomandibular Joint
Advance movement of the lower jaw when opening the mouth
Image by Thierry Canuel
Advance movement of the lower jaw when opening the mouth
Advance movement of the lower jaw when opening the mouth
Image by Thierry Canuel
Temporomandibular Joint
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the joint that allows for opening (mandibular depression) and closing (mandibular elevation) of the mouth, as well as side-to-side and protraction/retraction motions of the lower jaw. This joint involves the articulation between the mandibular fossa and articular tubercle of the temporal bone, with the condyle (head) of the mandible. Located between these bony structures, filling the gap between the skull and mandible, is a flexible articular disc (Figure). This disc serves to smooth the movements between the temporal bone and mandibular condyle.
Movement at the TMJ during opening and closing of the mouth involves both gliding and hinge motions of the mandible. With the mouth closed, the mandibular condyle and articular disc are located within the mandibular fossa of the temporal bone. During opening of the mouth, the mandible hinges downward and at the same time is pulled anteriorly, causing both the condyle and the articular disc to glide forward from the mandibular fossa onto the downward projecting articular tubercle. The net result is a forward and downward motion of the condyle and mandibular depression. The temporomandibular joint is supported by an extrinsic ligament that anchors the mandible to the skull. This ligament spans the distance between the base of the skull and the lingula on the medial side of the mandibular ramus.
Dislocation of the TMJ may occur when opening the mouth too wide (such as when taking a large bite) or following a blow to the jaw, resulting in the mandibular condyle moving beyond (anterior to) the articular tubercle. In this case, the individual would not be able to close his or her mouth. Temporomandibular joint disorder is a painful condition that may arise due to arthritis, wearing of the articular cartilage covering the bony surfaces of the joint, muscle fatigue from overuse or grinding of the teeth, damage to the articular disc within the joint, or jaw injury. Temporomandibular joint disorders can also cause headache, difficulty chewing, or even the inability to move the jaw (lock jaw). Pharmacologic agents for pain or other therapies, including bite guards, are used as treatments.
The temporomandibular joint is the articulation between the temporal bone of the skull and the condyle of the mandible, with an articular disc located between these bones. During depression of the mandible (opening of the mouth), the mandibular condyle moves both forward and hinges downward as it travels from the mandibular fossa onto the articular tubercle.
Source: CNX OpenStax
Additional Materials (3)
Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Anatomy and Disc Displacement Animation
3D visualization reconstructed from scanned human data of a lateral view of the face displaying salivary glands. Saliva produced in the three salivary glands (sublingual, submandibular, and parotid) is delivered to the oral cavity via salivary ducts. Saliva serves multiple functions: lubricating and cleansing the mouth, dissolving food so that it can be detected by taste buds, and secreting enzymes that begin the chemical breakdown of starches.
Image by TheVisualMD
3:41
Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Anatomy and Disc Displacement Animation
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Joints
A joint is any place where two or more bones come together to form a connection, such as your elbow, knee, hips, or shoulder. They allow you to run, walk, jump, play sports, and do the other things you like to do. Learn more about joints, what injuries you can get, and how to keep them healthy.