Effectively communicate, using proper terminology, anatomical positions, joint movements, and anatomical deviations from the norm.
Describe the various movements that take place at joints and the planes of motion and axes of rotation in which these movements occur.
Properly classify and describe the characteristics of the diarthrodial joints of the body.
Describe the osteokinematic movements that take place at each of the various diarthrodial joints of the body, and be able to apply them in the analysis of various movements.
Understand the fundamental rules governing arthrokinematic motions that can take place between the joint surfaces of the diarthrodial joints of the body, and be able to apply them in the analysis of various movements.
Describe the characteristics of open-pack and closed-packed joint positions and the general application of this knowledge as it pertains to joint injury evaluation and joint mobilization interventions.
The human body is constantly moving and capable of numerous movements wherein the relationship between various body segments change. To accurately describe these movements a specific body position was selected to serve as a starting point from which all movement could be referenced. This is known as anatomical position
Reference Segment and Reference Curve for Identification of Anatomical Deviations
Reference Segment: The Distal Segment, in relation to the joint where the “problem” is occurring
Reference Curve: The convex side of the curve or rotation of the vertebral body, as compared to the concave side
Anatomical Directional Terminology
Specific terms are used to describe the location of a structure and its position relative to other structures.
General Anatomical/Medical Terms
Types of Motion – Displacement of the body or one of its segments from one point to another
As stated, kinesiology is the analysis of motion. Motion is fundamental to physical activities, rehabilitation, etc. Specific to the body, motion is generally produced, or at least started, by muscular action. Basically there are two types of motion: linear motion and angular motion.
Linear Motion (also known as translatory motion) is motion that takes place along a line from one location to another. All parts of the object move the same distance, in the same direction, and at the same time.
Rectilinear motion: when the motion is along a straight line. (e.g., sledding down a hill, running from home plate to first base, jumping up to get a rebound)
Curvilinear: when the motion is along a curved line. (e.g., skiing down a mountain, running from first base to third base)
Angular Motion (also known as rotary motion) is motion that takes place around a fixed point or axis. All parts of the object move through the same angle, in the same direction, and at the same time – but they do not move the same distance.
Movement of joints through a range of motion.
When you consider physical activities in which a person might engage, both types of motion are involved. The angular motion of joints working together produces the linear motion of walking, running or jumping, or the linear motion of a thrown or struck object.
Planes of Motion
To describe motion of the human body, we need to describe or map the space through which motion occurs. Because space is three-dimensional we need to describe the three dimensions of space. We describe them with a plane.
A plane, or plane of motion, is an imaginary flat surface that cuts through space. The human body, or a part of the body, may move in each of these three dimensions. The three types of planes are sagittal, frontal, and transverse.
As a body segment moves through a plane of motion it rotates around an axis. An axis is an imaginaryline around which motion occurs. This is often referred to as axial movement, or rotary movement. Therefore, for each one of the planes of the body, a corresponding axis exists. This axis is always perpendicular to the plane of motion or has a 90º relationship with the plane.
Figure 12
Cardinal Axes
Fill in the following table:
Plane of Motion
Description of Plane
Axis of Rotation
Description of Axis
Common Movements
Sagittal
Runs medial - lateral
Divides body into anterior and posterior
AbductionAdduction
Longitudinal/Vertical
Diagonal/oblique
Joints – the union/articulation of two or more bones
Simply defined a joint is the union between two or more bones. The primary function of a joint is to allow movement. The movement at a joint is created by muscle contraction acting on the bone or bones forming the joint. Ligaments and joint capsules function to limit excessive or undesired movement at a joint. Therefore, joints allow movement; muscles create movement, and ligaments and joint capsules limit movement at the joint. In addition to allowing movement, joints have three other functions:
Weight bearing: joints of the lower extremity and the spine (very stable)
Shock absorption: cushioning effect of the fluid within the joint cavity or separating discs
Stability: sufficiently stable to prevent injury and yet allow motion. Mobility and stability are antagonistic characteristics, therefore, the more mobile a joint is the less stable it is, the more stable a joint is the less mobile it is.
Joints are classified according to structure or function.
Functional (Kinesiological) Classification: Synarthrodial, Amphiarthrodial, and Diarthrodial
Synarthrodial (immoveable)
Suture: union of skull bones
Gomphosis: teeth in socket
Amphiarthrodial (slightly moveable)
Figure 13
Syndesmosis
Figure 14
Symphysis
Figure 15
Synchondrosis
Diarthrodial (freely moveable)
Figure 16
Classification of Diarthrodial (Synovial) Joints
There are six classifications of diarthrodial joints, each having motion in one or more planes. If a joint has motion in only one plane it is often referred to as having one degree of freedom, whereas joints having motion in two or three planes are described as having two or three degrees of freedom, respectively.
ClassificationName
General Name
Planes of MotionAxes of RotationDegrees of Freedom
Joints(anatomical name)
Joints Images Figures 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 below
Ginglymus(Hinge)
One Plane of Motion (Uniaxial) One degree of freedom
HumeroulnarTibiotarsalTibiofemoral
(dual) InterphalangealMetacarpophalangeal
of the thumb
Condyloid(Concave-Convex)
Two Planes of Motion (Biaxial) Two degrees of freedom
MetacarpophalangealRadiocarpal
Atlantooccipital Metatarsophalangeal
Trochoidal(Pivot)
One Plane of Motion (Uniaxial) One degree of freedom
Radioulnar (proximal & distal)
AtlantoaxialTibiofemoral (dual)
Enarthrodial (Ball & Socket)
Three Planes of Motion (Triaxial) Three degrees of freedom
AcetabulofemoralGlenohumeralHumeroradial
(Atypical Ball & Socket - biaxial)
Sellar (Saddle)
Three Planes of Motion (Triaxial) Three degrees of freedom
Carpometacarpal of thumb
Sternoclavicular (Complex Saddle)
Arthrodial (Gliding)
Three Planes of Motion (Triaxial) Three degrees of freedom
Osteokinematic Motion - motion that takes place by the bones moving through a plane of motion about an axis. Said another way, movement is the change in relationship between segments. Movement Terminology are the terms used to describe the actual change in position of the bones relative to each other. The specific amount of movement in a joint can be measured using an instrument called a goniometer.
Differentiate between movement (dynamic – “ion”) and position (static – “ed”)
Figure 22
Example #1
Figure 23
Exampe #2
Fill in the following table for practice:
General Anatomical (Osteokinematic) Movement Terms – common among a number of joints
Abduction – lateral movement away from body midline.Plane of Motion: ___________________________Axis of Rotation: ___________________________
Adduction – medial movement toward body Midline.Plane of Motion: ___________________________Axis of Rotation: ___________________________
Flexion – movement resulting in a decrease of the joint angle. Plane of Motion: ___________________________Axis of Rotation: ___________________________
Extension – movement resulting in an increase of the joint angle. Plane of Motion: ___________________________Axis of Rotation: ___________________________
Circumduction – circular movement. Combination of Flexion/extension and abduction/adduction Plane of Motion: ___________________________Axis of Rotation: ___________________________
Diagonal Abduction – movement of limb througha diagonal plane away from body midline.Plane of Motion: ___________________________Axis of Rotation: ___________________________
Diagonal Adduction – movement of a limb through a diagonal plane toward or across body midline.Plane of Motion: ___________________________Axis of Rotation: ___________________________
Internal Rotation – rotary movement around thelongitudinal axis of bone toward body midline.Plane of Motion: ___________________________Axis of Rotation: ___________________________
External Rotation – rotary movement around longitudinal axis of bone away from midline.Plane of Motion: ___________________________Axis of Rotation: ___________________________
Hyperextension – extension movement beyond anatomical position.Plane of Motion: ___________________________Axis of Rotation: ___________________________
Anatomical (Osteokinematic) Movement Terms Specific to the Shoulder Girdle
Figure 24
Plane of Motion:Axis if Rotation
Anatomical (Osteokinematic) Movement Terms Specific to the Shoulder Joint
Figure 25
Figure 26
Anatomical (Osteokinematic) Movement Terms Specific to the Elbow Joint & Radiounlar Joint
Anatomical (Osteokinematic) Movement Terms Specific to the Wrist
Figure 28
Anatomical (Osteokinematic) Movement Terms Specific to the Pelvis
Figure 29
Anatomical (Osteokinematic) Movement Terms Specific to the Hip
Figure 30
Anatomical (Osteokinematic) Movement Terms Specific to the Knee
Figure 31
Anatomical (Osteokinematic) Movement Terms Specific to the Ankle and Foot
Figure 32
Anatomical (Osteokinematic) Movement Terms Specific to the Spine
Figure 33
Anatomical (Osteokinematic) Movement Terms Specific to the Caropmetacarpal Joint of the Thumb
Anatomical (Osteokinematic) Movement Terms Specific to the Mandible
Protrusion – forward thrusting of jaw.
Plane:
Retrusion – movement of jaw back to anatomical
position from protrusion.
Plane:
Figure 34
Arthrokinematic Motion
In order for osteokinematic movements to occur there must be movement at the actual articular surfaces of the joint. This is known as arthrokinematic motion. The three types of arthrokinematic motion are:
Spin– A single point on one
articular surface rotates about a
single point on another articular
surface.
Example: A top spinning on a surface.
Roll – a series of points on one
articular surface contacts with a
series of points on another articular
surface.
Example: A tire rolling across a surface.
Glide/Slide– a specific point on one
articulating surface comes in
contact with a series of points on
another surface.
Example: A block sliding across a surface.
Figure 35
Figure 36
Arthrokinematic Rules:
There is usually some glide/slide that accompanies roll
The shape of joint surfaces and the congruency (maximal contact of joint surfaces) of the joint determine the movements. The greater the congruency of a joint the more glide/slide motion that occurs.
Roll will always occur in the same direction as the moving bone/segment
Glide/slide movement depends on which surface is moving in a particular movement:
Convex surface will always move (glide/slide) in the opposite direction as the roll
Concave surface will always move (glide/slide) in the same direction as the roll
Figure 37
Figure 38
Figure 42
Joint Open-Pack and Closed-Pack Positions
How well a joint’s surfaces fit together, match or lineup is referred to as joint congruency. As a joint moves through a plane of motion, the degree of alignment or matching can change.
Characteristics of Close-Packed Position of a Joint:
1. The joint surfaces that make up the joint are in maximum contact with each other (well matched or lined up). This is referred to as congruency.
2. The joint is compressed together tightly via tension, allowing very little joint play or movement.
3. The joint capsule and ligaments that stabilize the joint are taut.
Example of a closed-pack position: Shoulder abducted 90° and fully externally rotated.
Note:It is in the closed-pack position that a joint is usually tested for its stability and integrity. It is also in this position that a joint is vulnerable to injury.
Characteristics of Open/Loose-Packed Position of a Joint:
1. The joint surfaces are in minimal contact with each other. This is referred to as incongruence.
2. The joint is loose as parts of the joint capsule and associated ligaments are lax.
3. Arthrokinematic motions of roll, glide, and spin can best occur.
Example of an open-pack position: Shoulder abducted 55º, horizontally adducted 30º
Note: It is in the open pack position that joint mobilization techniques are best applied.
This content is provided to you freely by BYU-I Books.