articular capsule
two layers that surround and enclose a synovial joint. The outer layer is spongy fibrous connective tissue, and the inner layer is the synovial membrane.
articular cartilage
hyaline cartilage that protects the surface of bones found in synovial joints
articular disc
small, oval fibrocartilage structure that divides the synovial joint cavity
bursa
synovial fluid–filled thin connective tissue sac often associated with synovial joints that serves to reduce friction between adjacent structures, such as ligaments and bones
cartilaginous joint
joint where bones are separated by cartilage
effort arm
distance between the point of muscular force on a bone and the fulcrum
fibrocartilage
strong, flexible cartilage containing thick, fibrous collagen
fibrous joint
joints that occur where bones are attached by the collagen fibers of a fibrous connective tissue
fulcrum
point a bar pivots around in a lever system. Physiologically, this occurs in the synovial joints of the body.
gomphosis
narrow fibrous peg-and-socket joint found between the roots of teeth and the sockets in the jawbones
hyaline cartilage
firm, translucent cartilage found in joints
joint
location where two bones meet
joint cavity
fluid-filled enclosed cavity found at synovial joints
lever
simple machine that operates by pivoting around a fixed point, or fulcrum
ligament
tough, fibrous band of connective tissue that holds bones together at joints
mechanical advantage
when the effort arm is longer than the load arm, allowing levers to use little force to move a large load
meniscus
large, C-shaped fibrocartilage structure that partly divides a synovial joint cavity
resistance arm
distance between the resistance (or load) a muscle is working against and the fulcrum (or joint) in a lever system
suture
type of fibrous joint connecting bones in the skull
symphysis joint
slightly movable and permanent cartilaginous joint where the bones are joined by fibrocartilage
synchondrosis joint
cartilaginous joint where bones are joined together by hyaline cartilage
syndesmosis joint
fibrous joint between bones that are held together by a ligament
synostosis
bony junction that forms when connective tissue between two bones is replaced with bone tissue, fusing the two bones into one
synovial fluid
lubricating fluid that fills synovial joint cavities
synovial joint
movable joint where two adjacent bones are separated by an enclosed fluid-filled cavity
tendon
dense form of connective tissue that attaches muscles to bones