There are six main types of synovial joints:
Or Slightly Moveable Joints.
Cartilaginous joints are bones which are connected to one another entirely by cartilage. This is usually hyaline cartilage or fibro-cartilage. Cartilaginous joints allow more movement between bones than a fibrous joint but less than the highly mobile synovial joint.
There are two different forms of this joint - primary cartilaginous joints known as synchondroses which usually occur between ossification centres. An example of this type would be the growth plates. Secondary cartilaginous joints also called symphyses are the other type, occurring in the midline of the body. An example of this type of joint is the intervertebral joint and also the pubic synthesis.
Or Immoveable Joints.
Fibrous joints are attached to dense connective tissue consisting mainly of collagen. The bones in these joints are in very close contact and are separated only by a thin layer of fibrous connective tissue. These joints do not move.
Fibrous joints are divided into three types; these are Sutures, Syndesmoses and Gomphoses. When the bones of the skull become fixed together by fibrous tissue they form an immovable Suture joint. Syndesmoses joints are found between long bones of the body, such as the radius and ulna in forearm and the fibula and tibia in leg. Gomphosis is a joint between the root of a tooth and the sockets in the mandible.
To perform exercise we have to move-
We take part in exercise to become better at something, and in order for us to perform at the best of our ability we have to be at our physical peak. This takes time, effort and energy. When we contribute in physical activity we enhance both our mental and physical capability and therefore the skeletal muscles of the entire body continually function as an integrated unit.
Exercise does not affect the bones but it has an impact upon the bodily muscles, this impact is usually beneficial to the functioning of the musculo-skeletal system but sometimes overworking this system can cause problems. Physical exercise is important for maintaining physical fitness and can contribute positively to maintaining a healthy weight, building and maintaining healthy bone density, muscle strength, and joint mobility, promoting physiological well-being, reducing surgical risks, and strengthening the immune system. Exercise also reduces levels of cortisol, therefore benefiting a healthy functioning. Cortisol is a stress hormone that builds up fat, making weight loss difficult. Cortisol causes many health problems, both physically and mentally.
Over-exercising can do more harm than good, with the definition of over-exercising varying according to each individual. In some extreme instances, over-exercising induces serious performance loss and overexertion of muscles leads to rhabdomyolysis (damage to a muscle).
Exercise helps to maintain a healthy functioning of the musculo-skeletal system by keeping the muscles active so that the joints do not seize up and stop working. Exercise allows the muscle attached to the skeleton to overtime expand, becoming stronger and healthier.
As an individual becomes older, their level of physical activity dramatically decreases. As a result, the bony structure begins to demineralise, leading to a weakening of the entire structure. As the individual becomes weak and feeble, the bones may begin to spontaneously fracture. Had the individual maintained their exercise program, they would not have become dependent upon others to provide the movements no longer available to them.
