Joint Anatomy 101

Our mission is to promote joint health in the population. That’s why we often talk to you about subjects related to our joints, such as the problems that affect them, the role of collagen in joint health, or advice on how to promote mobility, etc. We have prepared the following article about joints, and more specifically about their anatomy, to help you better understand the various tips we give you.

Functions and Types of Joints

Joints represent all the parts of our body where two bones meet. They allow our skeleton to move and therefore, our body to perform a wide range of motion.

Depending on their location on the skeleton and the bones they connect, joints can be classified into 3 main types according to their level of mobility, i.e., the range of motion they can perform:

Fibrous (fixed) joints: They do not allow movement. They are notably found in the skull, between the jawbone and the teeth, or between the first ribs and the sternum.
Cartilaginous (semi-mobile) joints: These joints allow a limited range of motion. Cartilage is found between the bones of semi-mobile joints. This group includes the vertebrae of the spine and neck.
Synovial (movable) joints: These joints allow a large range of motion. In this type of joint, the head of one bone fits into the hollow end of the other bone. This group includes the knee, shoulder, ankle, wrist, and hip joints.

Movable Joints: For a large range of motion

We need to spend a little time on movable joints since they are more prone to injury caused by trauma or repetitive movements due to their large range of motion. Find out below the different parts that make up movable joints:

Cartilage: It is a type of dense, connective tissue found at the junction between two bones. Its elasticity allows it to distribute the pressure that is exerted on the joints and absorb the shocks caused by movement.
Joint capsule: This is the envelope surrounding a synovial joint and is made up of fibrous tissue. The joint capsule ensures the stability of the joint, together with the ligaments.
Synovial membrane: This membrane is located on the inside of a joint capsule. It produces, among other things, synovial fluid, which lubricates the joints.
Ligaments: These are strips of fibrous and very strong tissue. Their function is to connect the two bones that make up a movable joint.
Meniscus: It is a kind of cushion in movable joints. It allows the articular surfaces to slide, as well as cushioning impacts.
Synovial bursa: These structures are located at the ends of the joints and help prevent contact between a bone and the tendons connected to it. Thus, they also allow sliding within the joint and cushion impacts.
Tendons: Tendons connect the bones of a joint to the muscles that allow movement.

For your joint health, choose AminoLock Collagen

AminoLock Collagen is the primary ingredient of all Genacol products. Collagen is a protein and a component of many structures /en/products/within the joints (ligaments, tendons, cartilage, etc.). It gives them their elasticity and has multiple benefits for our entire body. Thanks to its extremely low molecular weight, our body can assimilate it with optimum effect.

Thus, taking Genacol products containing AminoLock Collagen is a good habit to maintain your joint health because this ingredient helps the structures presented above function properly!