• A joint refers to the articulation between two bones
• Joints can be described by the intrinsic components connecting the bones which in turn determines the degree of motion across that joint:

• Fibrous

  united by fibrous tissue, limited motion, e.g. sutures skull vault

• Cartilaginous

• Primary - united by a plate of cartilage, no motion, e.g. a growth plate, costochondral joint
• Secondary - bone ends covered by hyaline cartilage with intervening fibrocartilage plate, limited motion, e.g. symphysis pubis

• Synovial

  bone ends covered with hyaline cartilage and separated by a joint cavity containing a synovial membrane. Allows the widest range of motion across a joint.

• Note the opposing articular cartilage which are radiolucent on radiograph and account for the apparent joint space on X-rays. Deep to the cartilage is the subchondral bone plate.
• The bare area is at the periphery of the joint space and represents that portion of intra-articular bone covered by a synovial membrane but without the protective covering of articular cartilage.
• Marginal erosions occur at the bare area.

• The joints of the hand and wrist are synovial joints and include the following:

Describe the 3 provided radiographic views and naming the individual joints and bones