joint

[joint]

the site of the junction or union of two or more bones of the body; its primary function is to provide motion and flexibility to the frame of the body. Some are immovable, such as the sutures where segments of bone are fused together in the skull. Others, such as those between the vertebrae, are gliding joints and have limited motion. However, most joints allow considerable motion. The most common type are the synovial joints, which have a complex internal structure, composed not only of ends of bones but also of ligaments, cartilage, the articular capsule, the synovial membrane, and sometimes bursae.

acromioclavicular joint the point at which the clavicle joins with the acromion.

ankle joint the joint between the foot and the leg; see ankle.

arthrodial joint gliding joint.

ball-and-socket joint a synovial joint in which the rounded or spheroidal surface of one bone (the “ball”) moves within a cup-shaped depression (the “socket”) on another bone, allowing greater freedom of movement than any other type of joint. See illustration. Called also polyaxial or spheroidal joint.

bicondylar joint a condylar joint with a meniscus between the articular surfaces, as in the temporomandibular joint.

cartilaginous joint a type of synarthrosis in which the bones are united by cartilage, providing slight flexible movement; the two types are synchondrosis and symphysis.

composite joint (compound joint) a type of synovial joint in which more than two bones are involved.

condylar joint (condyloid joint) one in which an ovoid head of one bone moves in an elliptical cavity of another, permitting all movements except axial rotation; this type is found at the wrist, connecting the radius and carpal bones, and at the base of the index finger. See illustration.

diarthrodial joint synovial joint.

elbow joint the synovial joint between the humerus, ulna, and radius. See also elbow.

ellipsoidal joint condylar joint.

facet j's the articulations of the vertebral column.

fibrous joint a joint in which the union of bony elements is by continuous intervening fibrous tissue, which makes little motion possible; the three types are suture, syndesmosis, and gomphosis. Called also immovable or synarthrodial joint and synarthrosis.

flail joint an unusually mobile joint, such as results when joint resection is done to relieve pain.

glenohumeral joint the synovial joint formed by the head of the humerus and the glenoid cavity of the scapula. Called also humeral joint and shoulder joint.

gliding joint a synovial joint in which the opposed surfaces are flat or only slightly curved, so that the bones slide against each other in a simple and limited way. The intervertebral joints are this type, and many of the small bones of the wrist and ankle also meet in gliding joints. Called also arthrodial joint and plane joint.

hinge joint a synovial joint that allows movement in only one plane, forward and backward. Examples are the elbow and the interphalangeal joints of the fingers. The jaw is primarily a hinge joint but it can also move somewhat from side to side. The knee and ankle joints are hinge joints that also allow some rotary movement. See illustration. Called also ginglymus.

hip joint the synovial joint formed at the head of the femur and the acetabulum of the hip. See illustration at hip.

humeral joint glenohumeral joint.

immovable joint fibrous j.

knee joint the compound joint between the femur, patella, and tibia.

pivot joint a synovial joint in which one bone pivots within a bony or an osseoligamentous ring, allowing only rotary movement; an example is the joint between the first and second cervical vertebrae (the atlas and axis). See illustration. Called also rotary or trochoid joint.

plane joint gliding joint.

polyaxial joint ball-and-socket joint.

rotary joint pivot joint.

sacroiliac joint the joint between the sacrum and ilium in the lower back; see also sacroiliac joint.

saddle joint a synovial joint whose movement resembles that of a rider on horseback, who can shift in several directions at will; there is a saddle joint at the base of the thumb, so that the thumb is more flexible and complex than the other fingers but is also more difficult to treat if injured.

shoulder joint humeral joint.

simple joint a type of synovial joint in which only two bones are involved.

spheroidal joint ball-and-socket joint.

synarthrodial joint fibrous j.

synovial joint a specialized joint that permits more or less free movement, the union of the bony elements being surrounded by an articular capsule enclosing a cavity lined by synovial membrane. Called also articulation and diarthrosis. A capillary network in the synovial membrane provides nutrients and synovial fluid to nourish and lubricate the joint space. Strong fibrous bands or cords (ligaments) give strength and security to synovial joints. The majority of the body's joints are of this type. They are divided into five types according to structure and motion: ball and socket, gliding, saddle, hinge, and pivot.

Joints.

trochoid joint pivot joint.

temporomandibular joint (TMJ) a bicondylar joint formed by the head of the mandible and the mandibular fossa, and the articular tubercle of the temporal bone. See also temporomandibular joint disorder.

an·kle joint

[TA]

a hinge synovial joint between the tibia and fibula above and the talus below.

Synonym(s): articulatio talocruralis [TA], ankle (1) , mortise joint, talocrural articulation, talocrural joint, talotibiofibular joint

an·kle joint

(ang'kĕl joynt) [TA]

A hinge synovial joint that is placed between the tibia and fibula above and with the talus below.
Synonym(s): ankle (1) , mortise joint, talocrural joint.

Patient discussion about ankle joint

Q. after breaking both my tib and fib in my ankle - my joint has now seized up completely - is this a normal occu I have been told my ankle koint may never work again - has this ever happened to anyone else - and if so, what route did you take next - either a dusion or ankle replacement, which would you recommend? Any advice would be great Thanks you in advance

A. here is an article that might give you an idea:

http://www.aaos.org/news/aaosnow/may08/clinical6.asp

tell me if this is what you looked for.

Q. Past few months from now my mom is facing a severe pain in the joints of her ankle.not even able to walk now Hi All, Something happened like this my mom was attacked by sever cough and an x-ray was taken and Doctors confirmed that there was some infection in lugs and it got cured.Later she got fever and after few days wen fever went off she found it difficult to move bcz of swelling in her ankle and tightened joints,large pain when tried to walk and a bit of swellin in figures too.Am very much confused abt wat this disease is and y is this happened suddenly. Is der any disease vch can bring down the mobility in one week. Doctors at my place are completely ignorant abt such situation and are claiming this can not be cured and should be faced through out the life. I took my mom to a good city hospital and Doctors here have categorized it as Rheumatoid arithritis. Am really worried and completely ignorant abt this Kindly help me.

A. If it started after lung infection, than the joint pain may represent "reactive arthritis" after pneumonia due to Chlamydophila (a bacteria that cause inflammation of the joints after it cause lung infection).

You may try to read more about it here:
www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000440.htm
However, it's only a suggestion - you may want to consult someone more professional.

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