Lesson 4.1 Joints and Motion – Key Terms

Abduction / Movement away from the midline of the body
Adduction / Movement toward the midline off the body
Articular cartilage / Hyaline cartilage attached to articular bone surfaces
Articulation / The action or manner in which the parts come together at a joint
Ball-and-socket joint / An articulation (as the hip joint) in which the rounded head of one bone fits into a cuplike cavity of the other and admits movement in any direction
Cartilage / A usually translucent somewhat elastic tissue that composes most of the skeleton of vertebrate embryos and except for a small number of structures (as some joints, respiratory passages, and the external ear) is replaced by bone during ossification in the higher vertebrates.
Circumduction / A movement at a synovial joint in which the distal end of the bone moves in a circle while the proximal end remains relatively stable
Dorsiflexion / Bending the foot in the direction of the dorsum (upper surface)
Extension / An unbending movement around a joint in a limb (as the knee or elbow) that increases the angle between the bones of the limb at the joint
Flexion / A bending movement around a joint in a limb (as the knee or elbow) that decreases the angle between the bones of the limb at the joint
Goniometer / An instrument for measuring angles (as of a joint or the skull)
Hinge joint / Joint between bones (as at the elbow or knee) that permits motion in only one plane
Hyaline cartilage / Translucent bluish white cartilage consisting of cells embedded in an apparently homogeneous matrix, present in joints and respiratory passages, and forming most of the fetal skeleton
Joint / The point of contact between elements of an animal skeleton whether movable or rigidly fixed together with the surrounding and supporting parts (as membranes, tendons, or ligaments)
Ligament / Dense regular connective tissue that attaches bone to bone
Plantar flexion / Bending the foot in the direction of the plantar surface (sole)
Range of Motion / The range through which a joint can be moved
Rotation / Moving a bone around its own axis, with no other movement
Synovial cavity / The space between the articulating bones of a synovial joint, filled with synovial fluid. Also called a joint cavity.
Synovial fluid / Secretion of synovial membranes that lubricates joints and nourishes articular cartilage
Synovial joint / A fully moveable joint in which the synovial (joint) cavity is present between the two articulating bones
Tendon / A white fibrous cord of dense regular connective tissue that attaches muscle to bone

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Human Body Systems Lesson 4.1 Joints and Motion – Key Terms – Page 1