Articulations and Body Movements

Objectives
Upon competition of this laboratory exercise you should be able to:
1.
2.
3.
4.

Describe these body movements in their appropriate anatomical

planes.
Name and describe the 3 structural categories of joints their
mobility.
Name and describe both functional and structural categories of
joints and compare their structure and mobility.
Recognize the following anatomical movements
a. flexion vs. extension
b. abduction vs. adduction
c. medial ( internal) vs. lateral (external) rotation.
d. pronation vs. supination
e. eversion vs. inversion
f. plantar flexion vs. dorsiflexion
g. elevation vs. depression
h. protraction vs. retraction
i. circumduction

The adult skeletal system is comprised of 206 bones that are connected to
each other by ligaments. Any place where to bones meet is called a joint or
(articulation). The study of joint structure function and dysfunction is called
arthrology. The joints are typically named based on the bones they attach. For
example the sternoclavicular joint.
Joint can be classified based on both their mobility (Functional)and the
tissue they are derived from (Structure). Structural classification would include
fibrous , cartilaginous and synovial joints. Functional classification focuses on
the degree of movement in a particular joint. These would include synathroses
( immoveable) , amphiarthrosis (slightly moveable joints, and
diarthoses( freely movable). Just remember the acronym SAD. From the least to
most movement.

Fibrous joints aka synathrosis

Joints are bones that are bond by collagen fibers. These joints are very strong
and stable. There will be very little movement in these joints. The 3 types of
fibrous joints include sutures in the skull, Gomphosis binding your teeth, and
syndesmosis which are the fibrous connections between the tibia and fibula.

Cartilaginous Joints ( Amphiarthrosis)

These bones that are linked by collagen. There are two types.
Synchodroses which are joints bound by hyaline cartilage. We see these in the
growth plates of a growing child and the costal cartilage of the sternum.
Symphyses joints are bound by fibrocartilage. The vertebral disc and pubis
symphysis are examples of symphyses. There is a small amount of movement
that occurs in these joints.

Synovial Joints (Diarthrodial)

Synovial Joints are the type of joint most people think of when you ask them
what a joint is. They are structurally complex joints which the articulating bone
ends are separated by a joint cavity containing synovial fluid. This fluid is
known to be one of the most viscous solutions on earth. It nourishes and creates a
friction free environment. There is a out fibrous capsule continuous of the
periosteum of the adjoining bones . These joints may contain meniscus which
are cartilaginous structures that absorb shock and help guild the motion. The
Temporomandibular joint has a piece of fibrocartilage called the articular disc .
They may be found in the radialulna, sternoclavicular and temporalmandibular
joints. Other accessory structures include a tendon that connects bone to muscle
and ligaments that connect bone to bone. There will be bursas that are fibrous
sacs that are filled with synovial fluid that located between muscles and tendons.
Inflammation of this is clinically called bursitis.

Classification of Synovial Joints

Synovial joints are classified based on what that functionally acts like. The
shape of the articular surfaces at the distal end of the bones along with the
muscles that attach to them will determine the range of motion at each particular
joint.
All body movements are based on the anatomical position. The movements
occur in the three anatomical planes, Coronal, Sagital and Frontal.

Flexion / Extension
Flexion decreases the angle of a joint while extension returns to the anatomical
position. These movements occur in the sagital plane.
Hyperextension of a joint is when it extension goes beyond 180 degrees.
These movements usually occur at hinge joints.

Abduction is movement of a part away from the midline.

Adduction is movement towards the midline.

These movements occur in the coronal( frontal) plane.
Dorsiflexion : moving the foot upward.
Plantar flexion: pointing the foot downward.
Occur in the sagital plane

Internal Rotation(Medial)

External Rotation (Lateral)

Medial rotation turns the bone toward the midline of the body.
Lateral rotation turns the bone outward away from midline of the body. The
movement occurs along the transverse axis.

The spine can also rotate along a transverse axis. Looking or turning to right to left

Supination / Pronation /Circumduction

Pronation : is the movement of the palm from anterior or upward facing to posterior or
down ward position.
Supination: is the movement of the palm from posterior to anterior returning your
hands to anatomical position.
Cirumduction: is a combination of flexion, extension, abduction and adduction. The
shoulder and thumb can do this motion.

Scapular movements

Movements of the Mandible

Chewing food requires the temporomandibular joint to move in a multi planer directions.
Elevation of the mandible closes the mouth
Depression close the mouth.
Protraction Retraction moves the mandible in an anterior and posterior direction.
Lateral excursion moves mandible laterally away from the midline.

Medial excursion moves the mandible back to the midline

Movements of the Hand and Digits

Radial and ulna flexion ( deviation) moves the wrist in side to side.
Abduction of fingers and thumb spread
Opposition is movement of the thumb to approach or touch the fingertips
Reposition is movement back to the anatomical position

Types of Articulations
Articulation
Glenohumeral
Humeroulnar/radial
(elbow)

Structural Type

Functional Type

Mobility

Intervertebral disc
Pubis synthesis
Hip (coxal)
Knee
Radiocarpal (wrist)
Suture of skull

Name the following motions and the planes

they are moving in:
1. Bring the hand to the shoulder would be considered
of what joint that occurs in what plane
.
2. Move your arm away from your body is called
of what joint occurs in what plane
.
3. Bending over and touching your toes causes your hips to
.
4. Turning your foot in is
. What plane is
this?
5. Turning your foot out is considered
. What plane
is this?
6. Reaching forward for an object would cause the scapular to
.
7. Pinching your scapular together would be called
.
8. Touching your pinky with your thumb is called thumb
.