Joints connect two or more bones in your body. Most joints are mobile, allowing for a wide range of movement. The specific bones connected vary depending on the joint; for example:
- The shoulder joint connects your shoulder blade, upper arm, and collarbone. [Source: Cleveland Clinic - How Your Shoulder Joint Works]
- The hip joint connects your thigh bone (femur) and your hip bone (pelvis). [Source: Cleveland Clinic - Hip Joint: Anatomy & How It Works]
- The ankle joint includes the talus (a bone in the lower ankle) connecting with the shin bone (tibia) and calf bone (fibula). [Source: Arthritis Foundation - Foot Bones and Joints]
While joints primarily connect bones, other structures play crucial roles:
- Cartilage: Provides cushioning and reduces friction between bones within the joint. [Source: Provided text]
- Ligaments: Strong connective tissues that connect bones to other bones, stabilizing the joint. [Source: University of Rochester - Anatomy of a Joint]
- Tendons: Tough, flexible bands connecting muscles to bones, enabling movement at the joint. [Source: MedlinePlus - Joint Disorders]
In summary, joints are the crucial connection points in the skeletal system, facilitating movement and providing structural support through the interaction of bones, cartilage, ligaments, and tendons. The specific bones joined vary greatly throughout the body.
