Joints & Describing Movement

Introduction to Anatomy -3

THE ARTICULAR SYSTEM

An articulation is also known as a joint

There are 3 types of joints1. Fibrous – also known as

“immovable”, examples: cranium, pelvis

2. Cartilaginous - also known as “slightly movable”, example: symphisus pubis

3. Synovial - also known as “freely movable”, example: elbow, knee

JOINT CLASSIFICATION

In PE, we mainly talk about Synovial Joints.

Synovial joints are classified into different categories according to their shape or degree of

movement:

JOINT CLASSIFICATION

JOINT CLASSIFICATION

HingeHinge joints allow movement in one plane only.

Examples: elbows, knees, and fingers.

HINGE JOINTS

Ball and SocketBall-and-

socket joints allow free movement in all directions.

Examples: hip and shoulder

Movement is described by looking at the way joints are positioned when a movement occurs. The main joints involved are:

Upper Body

Shoulder ElbowWrist

Lower Body

Hip Knee Ankle

When the muscles pull the bones that surround these joints, movement occurs.

Movement around a joint can be separated into the following catergories:

Movement at Joints

FlexionDecreasing the angle between two bones across a joint.

Shoulder Flexion

FlexionDecreasing the angle between two bones across a joint.

Elbow Flexion

FlexionDecreasing the angle between two bones across a joint.

Wrist Flexion

FlexionDecreasing the angle between two bones across a joint.

Trunk Flexion

FlexionDecreasing the angle between two bones across a joint.

Hip Flexion

FlexionDecreasing the angle between two bones across a joint.

Knee Flexion

FlexionDecreasing the angle between two bones across a joint.

Dorsiflexion

ExtensionIncreasing the angle between two bones across a joint

Shoulder Extension

ExtensionIncreasing the angle between two bones across a joint

Elbow Extension

ExtensionIncreasing the angle between two bones across a joint

Wrist Extension

ExtensionIncreasing the angle between two bones across a joint

Trunk Extension

ExtensionIncreasing the angle between two bones across a joint

Hip Extension

ExtensionIncreasing the angle between two bones across a joint

Knee Extension

ExtensionIncreasing the angle between two bones across a joint

Plantarflexion

RotationMovement of the bone around a central axis

AbductionMoving a limb away from the midline of the body

AdductionMoving a limb towards the midline of the body

CircumductionA combination of movements so that a limb completes a circular movement. The limb creates a ‘cone’ shape. Occurs at hip and shoulder.

Extension Task

Now that you have learned the movement classifications, you need to identify where each of them could occur within a sporting context. For example, knee extension would be used in kicking a ball.

Complete this for all 18 types.