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A joint or articulation (or articular surface) is the connection made between , ossicles, or other hard structures in the body which link an animal's skeletal system into a functional whole.Saladin, Ken. Anatomy & Physiology. 7th ed. McGraw-Hill Connect. Web. p.274 They are constructed to allow for different degrees and types of movement. Some joints, such as the knee, elbow, and shoulder, are self-lubricating, almost frictionless, and are able to withstand compression and maintain heavy loads while still executing smooth and precise movements. Other joints such as sutures between the bones of the skull permit very little movement (only during birth) in order to protect the brain and the . The connection between a tooth and the jawbone is also called a joint, and is described as a fibrous joint known as a gomphosis. Joints are classified both structurally and functionally.
Joints play a vital role in the human body, contributing to movement, stability, and overall function. They are essential for mobility and flexibility, connecting bones and facilitating a wide range of motions, from simple bending and stretching to complex actions like running and jumping. Beyond enabling movement, joints provide structural support and stability to the skeleton, helping to maintain posture, balance, and the ability to bear weight during daily activities.
The clinical significance of joints is highlighted by common disorders that affect their health and function. Osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint disease, involves the breakdown of cartilage, leading to pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility. Rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disorder, causes chronic inflammation in the joints, often resulting in swelling, pain, and potential deformity. Another prevalent condition, gout, arises from the accumulation of uric acid crystals in the joints, triggering severe pain and inflammation.
Joints also hold diagnostic importance, as their condition can indicate underlying health issues. Symptoms such as joint pain and swelling may signal inflammatory diseases, infections, or metabolic disorders. Effective treatment and management of joint-related conditions often require a multifaceted approach, including physical therapy, medications, lifestyle changes, and, in severe cases, surgical interventions. Preventive care, such as regular exercise, a balanced diet, and avoiding excessive strain, is critical for maintaining joint health, preventing disorders, and improving overall quality of life.
Joints are mainly classified structurally and functionally. Structural classification is determined by how the bones connect to each other, while functional classification is determined by the degree of movement between the articulating bones. In practice, there is significant overlap between the two types of classifications.
Axon are abundant in joint capsules and ligaments, as well as in the outer part of intra-articular menisci. These nerve fibers are responsible for pain perception when a joint is strained.
A joint disorder is termed arthropathy, and when involving inflammation of one or more joints the disorder is called arthritis. Most joint disorders involve arthritis, but joint damage by external physical trauma is typically not termed arthritis.
Arthropathies are called polyarticular (multiarticular) when involving many joints and monoarticular when involving only a single joint.
Arthritis is the leading cause of disability in people over the age of 55. There are many different forms of arthritis, each of which has a different cause. The most common form of arthritis, osteoarthritis (also known as degenerative joint disease), occurs following trauma to the joint, following an infection of the joint or simply as a result of aging and the deterioration of articular cartilage. Furthermore, there is emerging evidence that abnormal anatomy may contribute to early development of osteoarthritis. Other forms of arthritis are rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis, which are autoimmune diseases in which the body is attacking itself. Septic arthritis is caused by joint infection. Gout is caused by deposition of uric acid crystals in the joint that results in subsequent inflammation. Additionally, there is a less common form of gout that is caused by the formation of rhomboidal-shaped crystals of calcium pyrophosphate. This form of gout is known as pseudogout.
Temporomandibular joint syndrome (TMJ) involves the jaw joints and can cause facial pain, clicking sounds in the jaw, or limitation of jaw movement, to name a few symptoms. It is caused by psychological tension and misalignment of the jaw (malocclusion), and may be affecting as many as 75 million Americans.
The English term articulation is derived from Latin articulatio.
Humans have also developed lighter, more fragile joint bones over time due to the decrease in physical activity compared to thousands of years ago.Thompson, Helen. " Switching to Farming Made Human Joint Bones Lighter". Smithsonian Magazine. Smithsonian, 22 December 2014. Retrieved 28 November 2016.
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