Kinesiology, NTUPT

Classification of Joints

Classification based on anatomic structure and movement potential

diarthrosis： an articulation that contains an articular cavity between two bones

synarthrosis： an articulation between bones that is held together by dense irregular connective tissues

amphiarthrosis： an articulation between bones that is formed primarily by fibrocartilage and/or hyaline cartilage

	Diarthrosis	Synarthrosis	Amphiarthrosis
prefix	di = double	syn = together	amphi = both
articular cavity capsule synovial membrane	presence	no	no
articular surfaces	hyaline cartilage or fibrocartilage	linked by fibrocartilage, fibrous tissues, or ligaments	linked by fibrocartilage and/or hyaline cartilage
functions： to connect two bones to transmit forces to allow motions	yes yes maximum	yes yes no or little	yes yes some
examples	most joints in the extremities	cranial suture or distal tibiofibular ligament	intervertebral joint or pubis symphysis

plane joint (irregular joint or arthrodial joint or arthrodia) non-axial joint only sliding movements present e.g. facet joint of the spine
hinged joint (ginglymus) uniaxial joint degree of freedom = 1 e.g. humeroulnar joint
pivot joint (trochoid joint or screw joint) uniaxial joint degree of freedom = 1 e.g. proximal radioulnar joint
condyloid joint (ovoid joint or ellipsoidal joint) biaxial joint degree of freedom = 2 Ideal joint surface： ovoid e.g. radiocarpal joint saddle joint (sellar joint) biaxial joint degree of freedom = 2 Ideal joint surface： sellar e.g. first carpometacarpal joint ball-and-socket joint (spheroidal joint) triaxial joint degree of freedom = 3 Ideal joint surface： sphere e.g. glenohumeral joint

cartilaginous (synchondrosis)

bending and twisting

fibrous (suture)

no movement

ligamentous (syndesmosis)

ligaments

limited or no movement

an articulation between bones that is formed primarily by fibrocartilage and/or hyaline cartilage, e.g. intervertebral disc

Established on 09/18/2002 and Last Updated 10/19/2008