At first, Donnie’s wife accused her once-active 25-year-old husband of trying to get out of housework by constantly complaining about pain and stiffness in his lower back. But over the next 5 months, the pain and stiffness increased and seemed to be spreading up his vertebral column. The family doctor referred Donnie to a rheumatologist, who diagnosed ankylosing spondylitis (AS). AS, a chronic inflammation of joints at points where ligaments, tendons, and joint capsule insert into bone, causes fibrosis (the development of scar tissue), ossification, and fusion of joints. Combine your knowledge about bone growth, repair, and anatomy from chapters 6 and 7 and joint structure and function from this chapter to identify the category of joints primarily affected by AS, and explain how chronic inflammation of Donnie’s joints led to their fusion.

For the following muscle, describe the motion(s) produced when the muscle contracts. It may be helpful to use an articulated skeleton.

The rectus femoris muscle attaches to the anterior inferior iliac spine and the tibial tuberosity. How does contraction move the thigh? The leg?

For the following muscle, describe the motion(s) produced when the muscle contracts. It may be helpful to use an articulated skeleton.

The biceps brachii muscle attaches to the coracoid process of the scapula (one head) and to the radial tuberosity of the radius. Name two movements that the muscle accomplishes in the forearm.

What combination of movements at the shoulder and elbow joints allows a person to move the right upper limb from the anatomical position to touch the right side of the head with the fingertips?

What is a synostosis? How does it differ from a syndesmosis or a gomphoses?

The intervertebral disks are examples of

a. sutures.

b. syndesmoses.

c. symphyses.

d. synovial joints.

e. gomphoses.

Using an articulated skeleton, describe the type of joint and the movement(s) possible for the following joint:

elbow joint

Using an articulated skeleton, describe the type of joint and the movement(s) possible for the following joint:

ligamentous connection between the coccyx and the sacrum

Using an articulated skeleton, describe the type of joint and the movement(s) possible for the following joint:

joint between the zygomatic bone and the maxilla

Discuss preventive measures to reduce age-related changes to joints.

Describe the age-related factors that cause loss of flexibility and loss of range of motion in synovial joints.

List the age-related factors that contribute to cartilage wear in synovial joints.

Describe a sprain, and identify which portions of the ankle joint are most commonly damaged when it is sprained.

List the common knee injuries, and tell which part of the knee is most often damaged in each type.