Last Updated on March 12, 2024 by admin
Did you know that there are over 360 joints in the human body? Each of these joints plays an important role in our movement and overall health. Today, we will discuss the five most important joints in the human body. These joints are the ankle, knee, hip, shoulder, and elbow. What do they do and how do they work?
Table of Contents
The Ankle
First and foremost, we have the ankle. The ankle is a hinge joint that allows us to move our feet up and down. Additionally, the ankle also provides stability when we are walking or running. It is made up of three bones: the tibia, fibula, and talus. The tibia and fibula are the two long bones in your lower leg and the talus is the bone that sits on top of the heel bone (calcaneus). The ankle joint is held together by ligaments, which are strong bands of tissue that connect the bones to one another.
What would happen if we didn’t have the ankle? Well, without the ankle, we would have a hard time walking because the foot would flop around and not be able to hold up the weight of the body. The ankle is a very important joint and without it, we would have a hard time getting around.
The Knee
Likewise, the knee is another important joint in the human body. The knee is another hinge joint, which means it allows the leg to move back and forth like a hinge. Interestingly, the knee is made up of the lower end of the femur (thighbone) and the upper end of the tibia (shinbone). As we saw with the ankle, the knee joint is held together by ligaments.
The Hip
As we move up the body, the next important joint is the hip. The hip is a ball-and-socket joint, rather than a hinge joint, which means it allows the leg to move in many different directions. The hip joint is made up of the upper end of the femur and the socket, which is located in the pelvis. Furthermore, the socket is lined with a layer of cartilage, which helps to cushion the joint.
If the hip were a hinge joint, like the knee, we would only be able to move our legs forward and backward. However, because it is a ball-and-socket joint, we can move our leg in a circular motion, as well as side-to-side and front-to-back.
The Elbow
Next, the elbow shoulder is another important joint in the human body. The elbow is a hinge joint, which means it only allows the arm to move up and down. However, the elbow also allows the arm to rotate, which gives us a greater range of motion compared to some of the other joints. If you’ve heard of ‘tennis elbow’ or ‘golfer’s elbow’, these are both conditions that can occur when the tendons in the elbow become irritated from too much use.
The Shoulder
Finally, we come across the shoulder, which is a ball-and-socket joint. The ‘ball’ part of the shoulder is actually the head of the humerus or upper arm bone. This fits into the socket, which is called the glenoid cavity. The shoulder allows for a lot of movement in the arm, which is why it’s susceptible to dislocation. However, the shoulder is a very important joint in the human body as it allows us to lift our arms and reach things. Imagine sports like badminton and swimming and the role that the shoulder plays in these.
If ever you have problems with your joints, contact a professional service like Victorian Bone and Joint Specialists.
Apart from that if you want to know about Strengthen the Body’s Natural Defenses the please visit our Health page
