Synovial Joints

by Greg Crowther

Bones meet at joints, which can be classified according to function (synarthotic, amphiarthotic, diarthrotic) and/or structure (fibrous, cartilaginous, synovial). The overall message of this song is that there are several different types of synovial joints with different numbers of axes of movement, as follows: pivot (1), hinge (1), condylar (2), saddle (2), ball-and-socket (3). Sources differ on whether plane (a.k.a. gliding) joints have any axes of movement; this song agrees with those who say they do not have any.

CHORUS:
Tri, bi, mono, non!
How many axes of movement are in each joint?
Tri, bi, mono, non!
Synovial classification is this song's point....

Gliding joints have zero;
Hinge and pivot each have one;
Condylar and saddle, two;
Ball-and-socket have a ton....
(Dun, dun, duh-dun-dun-dun....)

CHORUS

It's this song's point!

• MP3 (demo)

• sheet music (with melody play-back)

Songs like this one can be used during class meetings and/or in homework assignments. Either way, the song will be most impactful if students DO something with it, as opposed to just listening.

An initial, simple follow-up activity could be to answer the study questions below. A more extensive interaction with the song might entail (A) learning to sing it, using an audio file and/or sheet music as a guide, and/or (B) illustrating it with pictures, bodily poses, and/or bodily movements. The latter activity could begin with students identifying the most important or most challenging content of the song, and deciding how to illustrate that particular content.

(1) What is the meaning of the phrase, "Tri, bi, mono, non"?

(2) What is the meaning of the phrase, "Ball-and-socket have a ton"?

(3) Give an example of each type of joint listed.