Joints

The parts, taken as a whole, which form the connections between adjoining bones. They consist of the ends of the bones, usually covered with cartilage and ligaments which hold them together and form a closed cavity lined with synovial membrane, which secretes an unctuous fluid, acting asa lubricant. They are divided into immovable (synarthroses), such as those between bones of skull; mixed (amphiarthroses), where slight motion exists; and movable (diarthroses), where the motion is free. Inflammation of a joint is known as Arthritis.