01 / Location & anatomical relationships
Where two or more bones meet.
02 / Structure & organization
Joints can be classified structurally as fibrous, cartilaginous or synovial. Synovial joints contain articular cartilage, a cavity, synovial lining and a capsule. Joint shape and soft-tissue constraints determine permitted motion.
03 / Function
Some joints move freely, while others move little or not at all.
04 / Mechanism
Freely moving joints often have cartilage-covered surfaces inside a capsule containing lubricating fluid. Ligaments help guide the movement. Other joints, such as skull sutures, are built mainly for strong connections.
Working together: skeletal system
Bones provide a framework. Muscles pull on them through tendons, and joints allow movement.
Meet this body system →FOR DEEPER STUDY
Connect structure with function
Not every joint permits large movement. Compare a skull suture with a knee or shoulder to connect structural organization with mechanical function.
Check your understanding
Locate the joint in relation to its neighbors. Explain how the structural features described above support its function, then distinguish it from a nearby structure with a different role.
Keep learning
Continue with OpenStax Anatomy and Physiology for system-level study. This atlas is educational and has not undergone independent medical peer review.