Joints Quiz

See Defining A Joint. Option E is correct: joints are classified by the tissue that binds the bones together into fibrous, cartilaginous and synovial joints. A joint is simply any place where two bones meet, so this includes the seams between the bones of the skull as well as obvious joints such as the knee. Joints always balance stability against mobility. Fibrous joints, held by tough fibrous connective tissue, such as the sutures of the skull, are the most stable and move very little. Cartilaginous joints, joined by cartilage, allow limited movement. Synovial joints, which have a fluid-filled cavity, are the most mobile but are less stable, which is why the shoulder dislocates so easily. A helpful memory aid is to read the list in order of increasing movement: fibrous (least), cartilaginous (some), synovial (most). The shape-based names, such as hinge, pivot and ball-and-socket, are used afterwards to sub-divide the synovial joints.

• Classification: by the tissue that binds the bones into fibrous, cartilaginous and synovial joints.
• Mobility: movement increases from fibrous (least) through cartilaginous (some) to synovial (most).
• Shape-based names: hinge, pivot and ball-and-socket sub-divide the synovial joints.