Aseel Samaro

Understanding the role of skeletal joints

They all use hinges to move

Your body has a hinge joints which work in a similar way to hinges on a door or gate.

The elbows and knees are example of hinge joints.

Understanding the role of skeletal joint

Bones meet at joints.

Some joints, such as those in your cranium, do not allow much movement.

However, many joints allow a wide range of movement.

Try moving your arm at your elbow, then try at your shoulder. Different joints allow you to move in different ways.

Understanding the role of skeletal joint

The bones of a skeleton are held together by ligaments. Bones are connected to muscles by tendons.

Both ligaments and tendons are made of stretchy fibres called collagen.

However, the fibres are arranged differently in each: In tendons, they are arranged so that the tendon can move easily as

muscles contract.In ligaments, fibres are arranged more tightly to hold bones together

securely.

Explain why it is important that tendons are stretchy.

To allow muscles to contract

We have three types of moveable joints.

The range and type of movement that they allow varies.

Fixed joints, such as those in the skull, do not allow movement.

Are all joints the same ?

Ball and socket joints allow forward, backward and circular movements.

The shoulder joint is a ball and socket.

Ball and socket joints

A hinge joint allows movement like the opening and closing of a door.

This type of joint is found at the elbow.

Hinge joint

A pivot joint allows rotation around an axis.

This type of joint is found at the top of the neck and allows you to move your head from side to side.

Pivot Joint

WORKSHEET

Suggest which type of joint is found in the:HipKnee

Most movements are more complex than simply moving at one joint.

For example, throwing a ball could involve: the shoulder joint to lift the ballthe elbow joint to bend the armthe finger joints to let go of the ball.

You will co-ordinate movements of these joints without even realising it.

A team effort

Without the ability to move our skeleton, our ability to survive would severely diminished.

We can move and manipulate objects very accurately as we have a lot of different types of joints, perfected for different movements.

The carpometacarpal joint of the thumb is a saddle joint and is exceptionally important for gripping objects

Diseases of the joints can be very painful and debilitating

Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease which affects joints.

It causes joint pain, swelling and limits the motion of the joints

Diseases of the joints