Home > GCSE Revision > The Human Body > Joints

• The aim of this lesson is to learn about the types of joints within the body and movements at each joint (Equivalent to UK GCSE Physical Education)

There are three different types of joint. These are classified dependant on the movement available:

• Fixed or immovable joints - also known as fibrous joints. An example is the joints between the different bones of the skull


• Slightly movable joints - also known as cartilaginous joints. There is a small amount of movement permitted at these joints which are separated by cartilage, such as in the joints between the vertebrae.


• Freely movable - also known as synovial joints. These contain synovial fluid inside a synovial membrane which surrounds the joint. An example is the knee joint.

Movements

There are different types of movement available at different joints, for example the shoulder moves in far more ways than the knee. Here are the main types of movement:

Flexion

Reducing the angle at the joint, for example bending the knee or elbow is flexion

Extension

Increasing the angle at the joint, for example straightening the knee or elbow is extension

Adduction

Moving the body part towards the centre of the body, for example bringing one leg in towards the other is adduction

Abduction

Moving the body part away from the centre of the body, for example taking one leg away from the other is abduction

Rotation

Turning or twisting a body part, either clockwise (external or lateral) or anti-clockwise (internal or medial), for example turning your leg to point the toes outwards

Freely Movable (Synovial) Joints

There are five types of freely moveable, or synovial joints:

Connective Tissues and Joints

There are three types of connective tissue in and around joints:

Cartilage - This sits on the ends of bones within a joint to stop the two ends from rubbing

Ligaments - These connect bones to bones and help keep the joint together

Tendons - These connect muscle to bone and usually cross a joint so that the associated muscle can cause movement at the joint

The Spine

The spine consists of lots of small irregular bones called vertebrae. Their function is to allow movement at the spine, provide an attachment for muscles and also to protect the spinal cord which runs through their centres. The spine is split into 5 sections:

Cervical

The cervical spine is the neck part of the spine and consists of 7 vertebrae

Thoracic

The thoracic spine is the upper back and consists of 12 vertebrae

Lumbar

The lumbar vertebrae forms the lower back and includes 5 vertebrae

Sacrum

The sacrum is the buttocks part of the spine and consists of 5 vertebrae, however they are fused and appear as a triangular bone, inbetween the two hip bones (ilium)

Coccyx

The coccyx is the very end of the spine and used to be our tail bones, although it now doesn't have a function.

Resources:

• Joints quick questions

Learn More About:

• Bones
• Muscles
• Respiratory system
• Circulatory system