Fibrous Joints: Definition, Meaning, Examples, Types, Diagram, Classification

What Are Fibrous Joints?

Fibrous joints, also called synarthroses, are directly connected through dense fibrous connective tissue, mainly collateral ligaments composed of collagen fibres. While most synovial joints allow for a substantial amount of movement, fibrous joints provide firm anchorage with little or no mobility. There is no cavity, and they are crucial to their function in providing for the structural integrity of the parts of the body involved.

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This Story also Contains

1. What Are Fibrous Joints?
2. Type Of Fibrous Joints
3. Clinical Significance:

Type Of Fibrous Joints

The different types of Fibrous Joints are:

Sutures:

Sutures exist only in the skull, where the bones are anatomically tightly set together with a thin layer of fibrous tissue. An immovable joint is formed, which helps protect the brain and maintain the shape of the skull. Examples of such sutures are the sagittal suture and lambdoid suture.

Gomphosis:

Gomphosis refers to specialized fibrous joints that connect the teeth to their sockets in the maxilla and mandible. The fibrous connection here is quite strong in preventing loose attachment, hence the firmness of teeth for every action of chewing or doing anything with the oral cavity.

Syndesmosis:

In syndesmosis joints, the articulating bones are farther apart, and these are held by ligaments or an interosseous membrane. Examples include the joints connecting the radius and ulna in the forearm and the tibia and fibula in the lower limb. This type of joint has many advantages; it provides stability with the potential for limited movements to be made to achieve forearm rotation and shock absorption on weight-bearing in the lower limb.

Clinical Significance:

Most of the clinical significance concerning fibrous joints lies within orthopaedics and dentistry. Moreover, injuries to the fibrous joints—for instance, dislocations or fractures involving syndesmosis—are related to special care in recovering from dysfunction and the prevention of long-term sequelae.

Conclusion:

The main role played by the fibrous joints in the skeletal system involves providing stability and support to various segments of the body. The type and their functions add much value to their realization during normal physiology and for clinical practice.