"In what different ways could joints be classified and how does their structure reflect the functions for which they evolved".
A joint, also known as an arthrosis, is a part of the body at which two or more bones are connected for example; four bones (the fibula, tibia, femur and the patella) are joined at the knee joint. By defining it in this way, there need not be an association made between with joints and movement, since as I will discuss later some joint types are not mobile. In this essay I will initially look at possible methods of classification of joints, and on the features of the joint that this classification may be based, before looking at the relationship of the joints structure to its function within the body.
In terms of mobility, joints are classified into three different classes: synarthroses (or immovable), amphiarthroses (or slightly movable), and diarthroses (or freely movable), joints. This could be described as a functional method of classification as it relates to joint mobility. An alternative method of joint classification is based on the lining of the joints, with three types possible: fibrous joints, cartilaginous joints and synovial joints. This could be described as a structural method of classification, since joints are grouped based on their composition rather than function.
There is some relationship between the method s of classification, since fibrous and cartilaginous joints tend to be associated with minimal or limited movement and synovial joints tend to be associated with the greater freedom of movement exhibited by the diarthroses. There are however joints that do not conform to these generalizations. I will now look at the main structural classifications of joint and see how their structure allows them to fulfill their function.
Fibrous (collagenous) joints are joints where the articulating surfaces of bones are joined by fibrous tissue and thus very little movement is possible as exhibited in the sutures of the skull (fig.
