Joints (Arthrology)

What the unit covers

Most resources here deal with how joints are classified. The flashcard deck Joints, Synovial Fluid and Cartilage asks what the three types of joints are, and asks for three examples of fibrous joints. It also asks how a synchondrosis differs from a symphysis. The note General Arthrology sets out fibrous (synarthrosis), cartilaginous (amphiarthrosis) and synovial (diarthrosis) joints.

Where to start

1. Read General Arthrology for the overview of the three main types.
2. Work through the flashcards in Joints, Synovial Fluid and Cartilage to fix the terms.
3. Open the two synovial mind maps, which break the topic into parts.
4. Test yourself with Quiz: Articulations or Joints & Articulations.

Using quizzes and maps together

The mind map Synovial Joint's covers gliding, ball and socket, saddle, hinge, pivot and condyloid joints, with examples such as the hip. The map Synovial Joint covers the two articulating bones, supporting ligaments, hyaline cartilage, synovium, and also rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Study a map, then take a quiz on the same area. Where an answer is wrong, return to the map branch and read it again.

The quiz Lecture Exam 2 Anatomy & Physiology asks, for example, which joint lies between the two parietal bones, and what two vertebrae with a disc between them represent. These questions suit a second pass, once the basics feel secure.

Where it fits

This unit sits in the Musculoskeletal System strand of Anatomy. Beyond classification, the listed resources also look at ligaments, movement terms and individual joints such as the knee. Teachers can pick out a set that matches a class and share it as it is.

Choose one resource from the list above and open it. When you are ready, make your own maps and flashcards for the parts you find hardest.