The Joints

    I present you several figures showing different movements that allow our joints. For anatomical figures you click them to open a detailed view. I would like to warn the reader that the nomenclature is not formally verified.

The shoulder.

    The shoulder articulates between the scapula and humerus.

Anterior view of the shoulder joint.


Posterior view of the shoulder joint.

The elbow.

    The elbow joint articulates between the humerus (arm), and the ulna and the radius (forearm).

Movements articulated at the level of the elbow.

    The bending of the arm, articulated at the level of the elbow, occurs when the biceps muscle contracts. Since the biceps is attached to both, the arm and forearm, this pulls the forearm toward the arm. But, for the movement to occur, the opposite muscle (antagonist), the triceps needs to relax. To extend the arm, the opposite occurs; it is the triceps that contracts and the biceps that relaxes.

The wrist.

    Hand articulates between the ulna and the radius at one end, and the carpal bones at the other hand.

The hip.

    The hip articulates between the bones of the pelvis (ilium, ischium, and pubis) and the femur.

The knee.

    The knee is located between the femur at one end, and the tibia and fibula at the other end. The patella is located at the axis of the hinge.

The ankle.

    The ankle is articulated between the tibia and the fibula at one end, and on the tarsal bones at the other end.