Library · Physiology
Joint function
Make it clearer
A joint is where bones, or bone and cartilage, connect. Picture a set of connectors built for different jobs: the sutures of the skull resemble firm seams that protect, while synovial joints let their surfaces glide to create movement.
That is why joints do not all move alike. Some are immovable, some yield only slightly, and others allow a wide range of motion. Every joint balances stability and mobility, but the proportions depend on the work that region must do.
In brief
A joint connects bones, or bone and cartilage, while providing the degree of stability and movement needed in that region. Some joints are nearly immovable, others allow limited motion, and synovial joints can move freely.
Mobility depends on how the joint surfaces connect. A firm union protects and stabilizes, while a cavity between gliding surfaces allows a broad range of motion. This is why a skull joint and a shoulder joint perform different mechanical jobs.
Different connections allow different kinds of movement.
Sources (1)
- OpenStax, Rice University9.1 Classification of JointsPublished
This page explains the topic in general terms; it does not tell anyone what treatment to follow.
Updated