What Are Joints Good For?

Joints are a type of anatomical structure that makes possible the union between bones and cartilage, as well as between two bones. Therefore, they are completely necessary for the proper functioning of the body. However, its functions are much more complex than just joining parts of the body together, as this important part of the body influences its flexibility.

Joint function

The existence of the joints carries a significant number of benefits, which greatly benefit human beings. Among the advantages obtained by the functioning of the joints are the following:

They keep the bones together

The main utility of the joints is to constitute all the points of union between the bones, in order to give rise to the bone system. Therefore, it is quite important to take care of the health of the joints, as it directly affects the functioning of the bones, the mobility of the body, among other aspects.

They give mobility to the organism

Bones are organs that do not have their own mobility, this because their structure is completely solid. However, thanks to the joints, the bones can exert mechanical movements, which offer a greater amount of capacities, around the functions that the body can exercise.

Provide flexibility to the body

Flexibility is that anatomical quality that allows the body to carry out movements of a certain amplitude, which is extremely relevant and necessary for the vast majority of living beings. Therefore, if a joint is injured, this could seriously affect the flexibility of the body, which will influence the mobile capacity of the living being in question.

Composition of the joints

Each joint is made up of various elements, which may vary, so they must be known, in order to better understand its operation. Among the set of elements that shape the joints, it is necessary to mention the following:

• Synovial membrane: It is a tissue that is responsible for covering the cavities of the joints, this tissue also serves as a lubricant and facilitates the functioning of these.

• Cartilage:  This tissue has the function of covering the ends of the bones that are attached to a joint; in order to prevent them from generating friction. However, it is also found in other parts of the body, as it makes up the ears, windpipe and nose.

• Ligaments:  They are a fundamental part of the body, since the ligaments are responsible for joining the bones with the joint. In addition, they also prevent these from being overstressed, thus preventing the bones from losing connection with the joints.

• Tendons: They  give the mobile capacity to the bone structure, while they are responsible for maintaining the stability of the bones.

Types of joints

In the human body (and most living beings), there is a huge number of joints, which must be classified according to their composition, shape and capacities. Among the different types of joints are the following:

• Fixed joints : Also known as synarthrosis , these types of joints completely lack mobility and are found in the bones of the skull.

• Semi- mobile joints:  Their official name is amphiarthrosis,  and they have an intermediate mobile capacity, therefore, they make up the vertebrae of the body.

• Mobile joints :  Known as diarthrosis, they are the most important joints, as they have a total capacity for movement. These are found on the shoulders, hips, and knees.

• Synovial joints: These provide flexibility to the bones, while joining them together. This type of joint is found in the elbows, knees, and fingers.
• Fibrous joints:  They have quite limited mobility, so they only serve to join certain types of bones to fibrous tissue. This type of joint is found in the jaw.
• Cartilaginous joints : It  allows the union between the bone ends, which do not have a joint cavity. An example of this type of joint is the discs that join the spine.

Relevant aspects of the joints

There are a large number of aspects that must be known about the joints, since this facilitates the understanding of the importance and need that exists, with respect to the functionality of the joints.

Among the set of relevant factors on the joints, are the following:

Joint movement

The joints exert a certain amount of movements, which allow human beings and most animals to carry out their activities in a normal way. However, it is necessary to mention that each joint can exert certain movements.

Neck joint movements

The joint movements that the neck can exert are relatively varied, including flexion, inclination, rotation and extension.

Joint movements of the shoulders

The shoulders are joints that exert the greatest amount of movements, due to their structure and composition. Among the types of movements that the shoulders can do, there is the flexion, the extension, the distance, the approach, as well as the internal and external rotation.

Joint movements of the elbows

The elbows can also exert a certain amount of movement, which is relatively limited compared to other joints. Among the articular movements of the elbows are flexion, extension, internal and external rotation.

Joint movements of the wrists

The movements that can be performed with the wrists are relatively more varied than with other joints, including dorsal flexion, palmar flexion, moving away and approaching.

Joint movements of the trunk

The trunk, also known as the torso, is one of the most important parts of the body, because it has a wide variety of movements, which are quite useful for living beings; among which are flexion, extension, tilt, rotation, and hyperextension.

Hip joint movements

The hip also has the ability to exert a certain amount of movements, which are extremely important for human beings; among them are flexion, extension, withdrawal, approach, and rotation.

Joint movements of the knees

The knees, unlike other parts of the body, have a great limitation around joint movements, since they are only capable of flexing and extending.

Joint movements of the ankles

There are only 4 movements that the ankles can exert, which are dorsiflexion, palmar flexion, inversion and eversion. Therefore, by subjecting them to other movements, they suffer injuries and damage.

How many joints does the human body have?

The human body has a large number of joints, since the figure is 360, of which 86 can be found in the skull, 66 in the thorax, 31 in each lower limb (legs), 32 in each upper limb (arms. ), 6 in the throat, while the remaining 76 are in the spine and pelvis.

What are the most important joints in the human body?

Although all joints are important for the functioning of the human body, some are considered the main ones, because they are responsible for keeping certain parts of the body functioning, which are essential. Among the main joints, it is possible to mention the following:

• The knees: They are known as the largest joints in the body, their importance is due to the fact that they allow people to walk, run and bend over.

• The shoulders:  They are the most complex joints, due to their great mobility and fragility; their importance lies in the fact that they allow the movement of the arms.

• The wrists: They are considered as main joints, because they facilitate the movement of the hands.
• The ankles:  The ankles are extremely necessary, since they allow the movement of the feet, which influences activities such as walking, running, among others.
• The elbows: The importance of the elbows lies in the fact that these joints allow people, and some animals, to flex their arms.

Joint diseses

Although the joints are designed with strong tissues, the state of these can be highly affected by a number of factors, such as forced movements, old age, autoimmune diseases, among others. All this leads to the development of diseases in the joints, among which are:

• Arthritis.
• Bursitis.
• Dislocations.
• Other

Conclusion: Are the joints really necessary for the body?

As has been well mentioned, the main function of the joints is to unite the bones with other bones, or cartilage; which greatly affects the functioning of the body in general. Therefore, it is possible to affirm that the joints are extremely necessary for the body, which is why it is necessary to take care of their state.