Lecture on Ligaments, Tendons, and Joints

Connective Tissues

Ligaments and Tendons

• Ligaments: Connect bones to other bones.
• Tendons: Connect muscles to bones.

Joints

• Joints: Points where one bone articulates or meets another.

Types of Joints

1. Synarthroses

   • Immovable joints
   • Example: Joints in the adult skull
   • Fusion of bones increases with age (e.g., from infancy to adulthood)

2. Amphiarthroses

   • Both stiff and slightly movable joints
   • Example: Vertebral joints

3. Synovial Joints (Diarthroses)

   • Highly movable joints
   • Lubricated by synovial fluid
   • Contained within synovial capsules

   Types of Synovial Joints

   • Ball and Socket Joints
     • Many degrees of motion
     • Examples: Shoulders, hips
   • Hinge Joints
     • Motion in one plane
     • Examples: Elbows, knees

Components of Joints

• Articular Cartilage
  • Smooth cartilage lining the surfaces of bones in a joint
  • Made up of hyaline cartilage
  • Avascular (lacks blood vessels), making it difficult to heal

Common Joint Issues

• Arthritis
  • Inflammation of joints (arth = joint, itis = inflammation)
  • Caused by overuse, leading to permanent destruction of articular cartilage
  • Results in pain and stiffness