A joint is the location at which two or more bones make contact. They are constructed to allow movement and provide mechanical support. As of yet, there is no definitive answer to your question but it is thought that there are around 360 joints in the human body.
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.
The types of structural classification are: Fibrous joints which are joints joined by dense irregular connective tissue that is rich in collagen fibers. Cartilaginous joints which are joints joined by cartilage. And finally synovial joint, which are joints not directly joined to the bones and have a synovial cavity and are united by the dense irregular connective tissue that forms the articular capsule that is normally associated with accessory ligaments. Synovial joints can then be split into several different types of joints.
There are seven different types of synovial joints in the human body. Gliding joints only allow a gliding movement such as the carpals of the wrist. Hinge joints work like a hinge on a door and allow flexion and extension such as at the knee and elbow. While a pivot joint allows the rotation of one bone about another such as the Atlanto-axial joint. A condyloid joint is where two bones fix together, one is concave and one is convex and allows flexion, extension, abduction and adduction, an example of which can be seen in the wrist joints. Saddle joints, which resemble the shape of a saddle, allow the same movement as a condyloid joint and can be found in joint of the thumb. The joints which allow the largest range of movement are called the ball and socket joints and can be found in the hip and the shoulder. The final types of synovial joint are the compound joints which makes up both the saddle and condylar joints that form the knee joint.
Functional classification can be broken down into three types of joints also: Synarthrosis which permits little or no mobility. Most synarthrosis joints are fibrous joints. Amphiarthrosis is next which permits slight mobility. Most amphiarthrosis joints are cartilaginous joints. Diarthrosis which allow a variety of movements. All diarthrosis joints are synovial joints.
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.
The types of structural classification are: Fibrous joints which are joints joined by dense irregular connective tissue that is rich in collagen fibers. Cartilaginous joints which are joints joined by cartilage. And finally synovial joint, which are joints not directly joined to the bones and have a synovial cavity and are united by the dense irregular connective tissue that forms the articular capsule that is normally associated with accessory ligaments. Synovial joints can then be split into several different types of joints.
There are seven different types of synovial joints in the human body. Gliding joints only allow a gliding movement such as the carpals of the wrist. Hinge joints work like a hinge on a door and allow flexion and extension such as at the knee and elbow. While a pivot joint allows the rotation of one bone about another such as the Atlanto-axial joint. A condyloid joint is where two bones fix together, one is concave and one is convex and allows flexion, extension, abduction and adduction, an example of which can be seen in the wrist joints. Saddle joints, which resemble the shape of a saddle, allow the same movement as a condyloid joint and can be found in joint of the thumb. The joints which allow the largest range of movement are called the ball and socket joints and can be found in the hip and the shoulder. The final types of synovial joint are the compound joints which makes up both the saddle and condylar joints that form the knee joint.
Functional classification can be broken down into three types of joints also: Synarthrosis which permits little or no mobility. Most synarthrosis joints are fibrous joints. Amphiarthrosis is next which permits slight mobility. Most amphiarthrosis joints are cartilaginous joints. Diarthrosis which allow a variety of movements. All diarthrosis joints are synovial joints.
