Joints
9 questions tagged Joints — spanning every one of the seven Ws.
Why do our joints click or crack sometimes?
The sound often comes from gas bubbles forming and collapsing in the joint fluid. It can also come from tendons moving over bones.
What is synovial fluid?
Synovial fluid is a slippery liquid inside joints that reduces friction and nourishes cartilage. It helps joints move smoothly.
What is the meniscus?
The meniscus is a crescent-shaped piece of cartilage in the knee that cushions and stabilizes the joint. Each knee has two menisci: medial and lateral.
Which human joint is the most mobile?
The shoulder joint is the most mobile joint in the human body. Its wide range of motion comes at the cost of stability.
Which human joint is the largest by surface area?
The knee is generally considered the largest joint in the human body. It is a major weight-bearing hinge joint.
How do ligaments help joints stay stable?
Ligaments are tough bands of connective tissue that hold bones together and limit excess motion at joints. They help prevent dislocations and stabilise movement.
How do joints let the body bend and twist?
Joints are places where bones meet, and their shape determines how much movement is possible. Ball-and-socket joints move in many directions, while hinge joints mainly bend and straighten.
Which human joint is the largest?
The knee is the largest joint in the human body. It is a major weight-bearing hinge joint connecting the thigh and lower leg.
Whose name is attached to the sticky fluid that lubricates joints and reduces friction?
Synovial fluid is the joint lubricant found inside many movable joints.