Anatomy of Bones & Joints

Why is understanding bones important?

Bones and joints are the foundation for all movement in the human body.

In this lesson, we will investigate the purpose and structure of bones and cartilage,
different kinds of joint movements, and the implication of skeletal variation in asana. By
understanding how bones and joints direct movement, you will profoundly deepen your
ability to teach functional asana and support your student’s yoga practice.

Learning Objectives
• List three functions of your bones
• Name and palpate the bones of the axial and appendicular skeleton
• Define synovial joint
• Demonstrate the movement and function of the most common joint types
• Describe the purpose of cartilage
• Evaluate how skeletal variation may affect asana functionality

Anatomy of Bones & Joints 1

 Why Bones?
List five functions of your bones.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Bones are made of

1/3
2/3

Compact bone
• Makes up the surface of bones.
• It is quite hard and dense
• Accounts for most of our skeleton’s weight.

Spongy bone
• Makes up the bone’s interior.
• Softer and more honeycombed
• Filled with blood vessels.

• The interior or the long bones houses marrow, which produces blood cells.

Anatomy of Bones & Joints 2

 The Skeleton
• The skeleton is divided into two components: “axial” and “appendicular” skeleton.
• The Axial skeleton includes the skull, vertebral column, rib cage, and hyoid bone
• The Appendicular skeleton includes everything else

How many bones are there

typically in the human body?

Anatomy of Bones & Joints 3

 Joints
What is a joint?

Synovial Joint
A synovial joint is a freely moving articulation of
two bones, characterized by the presence of a joint
capsule containing lubricating synovial fluid.

There are immovable and semi-movable joints in

the body as well, but we are primarily interested in
synovial joints, as they facilitate movement.

Types of Synovial Joints

Examples in the body:

Plane

Hinge

Pivot

Condyloid

Saddle

Ball & Socket

Each person is unique. The shape of the articulating bones determines the movement of
synovial joints.

Skeletal Variation
Not only can we have a different number of bones in our bodies, the shape of our bones
(and therefore our joints) can vary widely from person to person.

Important: skeletal variation plays a profound role in the range of motion of the joints –
and our practice of asana.

Anatomy of Bones & Joints 4

 Cartilage
Cartilage plays an important role in our joints and in our body.

Hyaline Cartilage
• Coats the ends of bone so that they can move against each
other with a minimum of friction.
• Also called “articular cartilage”
• Very smooth

Fibrocartilage
• Tough and durable
• Aids shock absorption and compression
• Example: intervertebral discs, pubic symphysis

Common Injuries
• Osteoarthritis /Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Bunions
• Breaks
• Fractures
• Note: cartilage does not have a very good blood supply, so it is slow to
heal.

Anatomy of Bones & Joints 5

 Review
What are five functions of bones?

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

2. With a partner, start at the cranium and palpate and name the major bones of the
axial skeleton. Then switch, and have your partner palpate and name the major bones of
the appendicular skeleton.

3. With your partner, find an example for each of the following types of joints in the
body. Identify and perform each of that joint’s possible anatomical actions:

Ball and socket

Example:
Actions:

Hinge

Example:
Actions:

Pivot

Example:
Actions:

Anatomy of Bones & Joints 6

 Saddle

Example:
Actions:

Condyloid

Example:
Actions:

Pivot

Example:
Actions:

4. What are the two types of cartilage and their function?

5. Anatomy in Action: With your partner, describe how your new understanding of
skeletal variation (and joint differentiation) may have changed your understanding of your
own yoga practice.

Anatomy of Bones & Joints © 7