1.1.4

Joints

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Structure of Synovial Joints

Synovial joints are the most common joint in the body. Because they allow movement to happen, they are usually located where 2 bones meet. Synovial joints have the following features:

Cartilage

Cartilage

  • Smooth cartilage (tissue) is a protective layer that covers the end of each bone to stop them from rubbing together.
Joint capsule

Joint capsule

  • The joint is surrounded by a joint capsule that is very tough and fibrous.
  • The joint capsule is lined with a synovial membrane. This produces an oily substance called synovial fluid.
  • Synovial fluid keeps joints well lubricated (greased to prevent friction) to stop them wearing down and rubbing together.
Ligaments

Ligaments

  • The 2 bones in a joint are joined together by ligaments. The ligaments provide strength and keep the bones in place.
  • Ligaments help to stop the joint from moving too much and help to stop dislocations (bones moving out of their normal position).
Bursae

Bursae

  • Synovial joints are also protected by bursae. Bursae are small bags of synovial fluid (oily substance) that help to reduce friction in a joint.
  • Bursae act like an airbag in a car. They cushion the joint from any external impacts, stopping the bones from coming together.

Hinge Joints

Hinge joints are an important type of freely movable joint. Hinge joints have a limited range of movement, involving flexion (bending) and extension (straightening). Examples of hinge joints include:

Elbow

Elbow

  • The hinge joint in the elbow is made up of the humerus (bone in the upper arm), radius and ulna (bones in the forearm).
  • Lets a person bend (flexion) or straighten (extension) their elbow.
  • This can be used when taking a shot in basketball.
Knee

Knee

  • The hinge joint in the knee is made up of the femur (thigh bone), tibia (shin bone) and fibula (calf bone).
  • Lets a person bend (flexion) or straighten (extension) their knee.
  • This is used when kicking a football.
Ankle

Ankle

  • The hinge joint here is made up of the tibia (shin bone), fibula (calf bone) and talus (ankle bone). This joint allows for different types of movement:
    • Plantar flexion: when a person points their toes (e.g. ballet dancers).
    • Dorsiflexion: when a person raises their toes upwards.
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1

Applied Anatomy & Physiology

1.1

The Musculoskeletal System

1.1.1Musculoskeletal Structure1.1.2Structure of the Skeleton1.1.3Functions of the Skeleton1.1.4Joints1.1.5Joints 21.1.6Antagonistic Muscle Movement1.1.7End of Topic Test - The Musculoskeletal System1.1.8Exam-Style Questions - Musculoskeletal System1.1.9Diagnostic Misconceptions - Contractions
1.2

The Cardio-Respiratory System

1.2.1Pathway of Air1.2.2Blood Vessels1.2.3Blood Vessels 21.2.4Structure of the Heart1.2.5Cardiac Cycle1.2.6Measures of Heart Performance1.2.7The Mechanics of Breathing1.2.8The Mechanics of Breathing 21.2.9The Lungs1.2.10End of Topic Test - The Cardio-Respiratory System1.2.11Exam-Style Questions - Cardio-Respiratory System1.2.12Diagnostic Misconceptions - Pathway of Blood1.2.13Diagnostic Misconceptions - Cardiac Output
1.3

Anaerobic & Aerobic Exercise

1.3.1Aerobic & Anaerobic Respiration1.3.2Recovering After Exercise1.3.3Treatments for Recovery1.3.4Diagnostic Misconceptions - Aerobic vs Anaerobic
1.4

Short-Term Effects of Exercise

1.4.1Short-Term Effects of Exercise1.4.2Long-Term Effects of Exercise
2

Movement Analysis

2.1

Lever Systems

2.1.1Lever Systems2.1.2Mechanical Advantage2.1.3Basic Sporting Movements2.1.4Basic Sporting Movements 22.1.5Diagnostic Misconceptions - Types of Lever Systems
2.2

Planes & Axes of Movement

2.2.1Planes & Axes of Movement2.2.2End of Topic Test - Movement Analysis2.2.3Exam-Style Questions - Movement2.2.4Diagnostic Misconceptions - Planes vs Axes
3

Physical Training

3.1

Health & Fitness

3.1.1Health & Fitness
3.2

The Components of Fitness

3.2.1The Components of Fitness3.2.2Sports & Fitness3.2.3Fitness Testing3.2.4Measuring Agility & Balance3.2.5Measuring Cardiovascular & Coordination3.2.6Measuring Endurance & Power3.2.7Measuring Reaction Time & Strength3.2.8Measuring Strength, Speed & Flexibility3.2.9End of Topic Test - The Components of Fitness3.2.10Exam-Style Questions - Fitness Tests
4

The Principles of Training

4.1

Principles of Training

4.1.1Principles & Circuit Training4.1.2Continuous & Fartlek Training4.1.3Plyometric & Static Training4.1.4Weight & Interval Training4.1.5Diagnostic Misconceptions - Types of Training
4.2

Optimising Training

4.2.1Optimising Training4.2.2Altitude & Seasonal Training4.2.3Warming Up4.2.4Cooling Down4.2.5End of Topic Test - Principles & Optimisation4.2.6Exam-Style Questions - Sport-Specific Fitness
5

Using Data

5.1

Types of Data

5.1.1Quantitative Data5.1.2Qualitative Data
5.2

Data Presentation & Analysis

5.2.1Data Presentation & Analysis
6

Sports Psychology

6.1

Skills

6.1.1Skills6.1.2Skills 26.1.3Goals & Targets6.1.4Skills HyperLearning
6.2

Feedback & Preparation

6.2.1Information Processing6.2.2Guidance6.2.3Guidance 26.2.4Feedback6.2.5Mental Preparation6.2.6Controlling & Optimising Arousal6.2.7Exam-Style Questions - Skills & Guidance
6.3

Personality & Behaviour

6.3.1Aggression6.3.2Motivation6.3.3Personality Types6.3.4End of Topic Test - Sports Psychology6.3.5Exam-Style Questions - Aggression & Motivation6.3.6Diagnostic Misconceptions - Aggression
7

Socio-cultural Influences

7.1

Engagement Patterns of Different Social Groups

7.1.1Engagement - Gender7.1.2Engagement - Ethnicity7.1.3Engagement - Age & Family7.1.4Engagement - Disability
7.2

Commercialisation

7.2.1Media7.2.2Commercialisation7.2.3Commercialisation 27.2.4Sponsorship7.2.5Arguments for Sponsorship7.2.6Impact of Sponsorship7.2.7End of Topic Test - Engagement & Commercialisation7.2.8Exam-Style Questions - Commercialisation & Conduct
7.3

Ethical & Socio-cultural Issues

7.3.1Impact of Technology on Performers7.3.2Impact of Technology on Performers 27.3.3Impact of Technology on Sport7.3.4Impact of Technology on Sport 27.3.5Sporting Conduct & Banned Substances7.3.6Blood Doping7.3.7Drug Restrictions7.3.8Drug Restrictions 27.3.9Spectator Behaviour7.3.10End of Topic Test - Ethical Issues7.3.11Exam-Style Questions - Performance Enhancing Drugs7.3.12Diagnostic Misconceptions - Conduct in Sport
8

Health & Fitness

8.1

Overview of Health

8.1.1Well-Being & Fitness8.1.2Types of Health
8.2

Sedentary Lifestyles

8.2.1Sedentary Lifestyle8.2.2Obesity & Performance8.2.3Somatotypes8.2.4Diagnostic Misconceptions - Somatypes
8.3

Nutrition & Hydration

8.3.1Nutrition8.3.2Nutrition 28.3.3Hydration8.3.4End of Topic Test - Health & Fitness8.3.5Exam-Style Questions - Nutrition & Hydration

Practice questions on Joints

Can you answer these? Test yourself with free interactive practice on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

  1. 1
    Which of the following is not a feature of synovial joints?Multiple choice
  2. 2
    What types of movement are allowed by the hinge joint in the ankle?Fill in the list
  3. 3
    What type of movement are hinge joints __not__ capable of?Multiple choice
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Functions of the Skeleton

Joints 2