Joint vs. Articulation — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 29, 2024
Joint refers to the connections between bones in the skeleton, crucial for movement and support, while articulation specifically denotes the point where two bones meet, focusing on the structural aspect.
Difference Between Joint and Articulation
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Joints are structural features in the human body that connect bones, facilitating movement and providing support. While articulation refers to the specific contact point between two bones, often focusing on the anatomical details of the connection.
In the context of anatomy, joints are categorized based on their structure and function, such as synovial joints, which are highly mobile. Whereas articulations might describe the same synovial joints but emphasize the surfaces that come into contact and their anatomical fit.
Joints often involve additional components like cartilage, ligaments, and synovial fluid, which aid in movement and reduce friction. On the other hand, articulations are primarily concerned with how the bones connect and interact, without necessarily detailing the supportive structures.
The study of joints is integral to understanding biomechanics and physical therapy, focusing on how joints contribute to body mechanics. On the other hand, articulation studies are crucial in fields like speech therapy and linguistics, where the term also refers to the formation of sounds via the vocal tract.
While all articulations are joints, not all joints are referred to in terms of their articulation, especially in layman's terminology where "joint" is more commonly used. Articulation is often used more in specific scientific and medical contexts to describe the way bones meet and function together.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Connection between bones
Specific point where bones meet
Focus
Movement and support
Structural details
Components
May include ligaments, cartilage
Primarily bones
Associated Disciplines
Biomechanics, orthopedics
Speech therapy, linguistics
Common Usage
Broad, general usage
Specific, technical usage
Compare with Definitions
Joint
A joint is where two bones come together in the body.
The knee joint is essential for walking and running.
Articulation
An articulation refers to the exact manner of connection between bones or cartilage.
The articulation of the elbow involves the humerus and ulna.
Joint
Diseases like arthritis can affect joints, leading to pain and mobility issues.
Rheumatoid arthritis commonly affects the joints in the hands.
Articulation
The term is also used in linguistics to describe the formation of speech sounds.
Dental articulations involve the teeth.
Joint
Joints can be immovable, slightly movable, or freely movable.
The joints in the skull are mostly immovable.
Articulation
Articulations can be rigid or yielding, depending on the bone structure.
The articulations in the spine allow for flexibility and support.
Joint
Joints are crucial for all physical activities in vertebrates.
Shoulder joints are pivotal for arm rotation and lifting.
Articulation
Articulation is critical in designing prosthetics that mimic natural movement.
Accurate articulation in a prosthetic knee improves walking.
Joint
The functionality of a joint is determined by its structure and the tissues involved.
Ball-and-socket joints allow for rotational movement.
Articulation
In music, articulation refers to how notes are connected or separated.
String instruments use various articulations for expression.
Joint
A joint or articulation (or articular surface) is the connection made between bones in the body which link the skeletal system into a functional whole. They are constructed to allow for different degrees and types of movement.
Articulation
The act of vocal expression; utterance or enunciation
An articulation of the group's sentiments.
Joint
A place or part at which two or more things are joined.
Articulation
The act or manner of producing a speech sound.
Joint
A way in which two or more things are joined
A mortise-and-tenon joint.
Articulation
A speech sound, especially a consonant.
Joint
A point of articulation between two or more bones, especially such a connection that allows motion.
Articulation
A jointing together or being jointed together.
Joint
A point in the exoskeleton of an invertebrate at which movable parts join, as along the leg of an arthropod.
Articulation
The method or manner of jointing.
Joint
(Botany) An articulation on a fruit or stem, such as the node of a grass stem.
Articulation
A fixed or movable joint between bones.
Joint
(Geology) A fracture or crack in a rock mass along which no appreciable movement has occurred.
Articulation
A movable joint between inflexible parts of the body of an animal, as the divisions of an appendage in arthropods.
Joint
A large cut of meat for roasting.
Articulation
A joint between two separable parts, as a leaf and a stem.
Joint
A cheap or disreputable gathering place
"The tavern is ... just a joint with Formica tables, a vinyl floor, lights over the mirrors" (Scott Turow).
Articulation
A node or a space on a stem between two nodes.
Joint
A building or dwelling.
Articulation
The conversion of a student's credits at one school to credits at another school by comparing the curricula.
Joint
A prison. Often used with the.
Articulation
A joint or the collection of joints at which something is articulated, or hinged, for bending.
The articulation allowed the robot to move around corners.
Joint
(Slang) A marijuana cigarette.
Articulation
(countable) A manner or method by which elements of a system are connected.
Joint
Vulgar Slang A penis.
Articulation
(uncountable) The quality, clarity or sharpness of speech.
His volume is reasonable, but his articulation could use work.
Joint
Shared by or common to two or more
Our joint presence.
A joint income-tax return.
Articulation
(linguistics) The manner in which a phoneme is pronounced.
Joint
Sharing with another or others
A joint tenant.
Articulation
The manner in which something is articulated (tongued, slurred or bowed).
The articulation in this piece is tricky because it alternates between legato and staccato.
Joint
Formed or characterized by cooperation or united action
Joint military maneuvers.
Articulation
(accounting) The interrelation and congruence of the flow of data between financial statements of an entity, especially between the income statement and balance sheet.
Joint
Involving both houses of a legislature
A joint session of Congress.
Articulation
(education) The induction of a pupil into a new school or college.
Joint
(Law) Regarded as one, especially with regard to tort liability or interest in property.
Articulation
A joint or juncture between bones in the skeleton.
Joint
(Mathematics) Involving two or more variables.
Articulation
The connection of the parts of a plant by joints, as in pods.
Joint
To combine or attach with a joint or joints
Securely jointed the sides of the drawer.
Articulation
The act of putting together with a joint or joints; any meeting of parts in a joint.
Joint
To provide or construct with joints
Joint a boom on a crane.
Articulation
The state of being jointed; connection of parts.
That definiteness and articulation of imagery.
Joint
To separate (meat) at the joints.
Articulation
The utterance of the elementary sounds of a language by the appropriate movements of the organs, as in pronunciation; as, a distinct articulation.
Joint
Done by two or more people or organisations working together.
The play was a joint production between the two companies.
Articulation
A sound made by the vocal organs; an articulate utterance or an elementary sound, esp. a consonant.
Joint
The point where two components of a structure join, but are still able to rotate.
This rod is free to swing at the joint with the platform.
Articulation
The aspect of pronunciation that involves bringing articulatory organs together so as to shape the sounds of speech
Joint
The point where two components of a structure join rigidly.
The water is leaking out of the joint between the two pipes.
Articulation
The shape or manner in which things come together and a connection is made
Joint
(anatomy) Any part of the body where two bones join, in most cases allowing that part of the body to be bent or straightened.
Articulation
Expressing in coherent verbal form;
The articulation of my feelings
I gave voice to my feelings
Joint
The means of securing together the meeting surfaces of components of a structure.
The dovetail joint, while more difficult to make, is also quite strong.
Articulation
(anatomy) the point of connection between two bones or elements of a skeleton (especially if the articulation allows motion)
Joint
A cut of meat, especially (but not necessarily) (a) one containing a joint in the sense of an articulation or (b) one rolled up and tied.
Set the joint in a roasting tin and roast for the calculated cooking time.
Articulation
The act of joining things in such a way that motion is possible
Joint
The part or space included between two joints, knots, nodes, or articulations.
A joint of cane or of a grass stem; a joint of the leg
Joint
(geology) A fracture in which the strata are not offset; a geologic joint.
Joint
A place of business, particularly in the food service or hospitality industries.
It was the kind of joint you wouldn't want your boss to see you in.
Joint
A place of resort for tramps.
Joint
An opium den.
Joint
Prison.
I'm just trying to stay out of the joint.
Joint
(slang) A marijuana cigarette.
After locking the door and closing the shades, they lit the joint.
Joint
A syringe used to inject an illicit drug.
Joint
The penis.
Joint
Sense}} A thing.
A Spike Lee joint
Joint
(transitive) To unite by a joint or joints; to fit together; to prepare so as to fit together
To joint boards
A jointing plane
Joint
(transitive) To join; to connect; to unite; to combine.
Joint
(transitive) To provide with a joint or joints; to articulate.
Joint
(transitive) To separate the joints; of; to divide at the joint or joints; to disjoint; to cut up into joints, as meat.
Joint
(intransitive) To fit as if by joints; to coalesce as joints do.
The stones joint, neatly.
Joint
The place or part where two things or parts are joined or united; the union of two or more smooth or even surfaces admitting of a close-fitting or junction; junction; as, a joint between two pieces of timber; a joint in a pipe.
Joint
A joining of two things or parts so as to admit of motion; an articulation, whether movable or not; a hinge; as, the knee joint; a node or joint of a stem; a ball and socket joint. See Articulation.
A scaly gauntlet now, with joints of steel,Must glove this hand.
To tear thee joint by joint.
Joint
The part or space included between two joints, knots, nodes, or articulations; as, a joint of cane or of a grass stem; a joint of the leg.
Joint
Any one of the large pieces of meat, as cut into portions by the butcher for roasting.
Joint
A plane of fracture, or divisional plane, of a rock transverse to the stratification.
Joint
The space between the adjacent surfaces of two bodies joined and held together, as by means of cement, mortar, etc.; as, a thin joint.
Joint
The means whereby the meeting surfaces of pieces in a structure are secured together.
Joint
A projecting or retreating part in something; any irregularity of line or surface, as in a wall.
Joint
A narrow piece of scenery used to join together two flats or wings of an interior setting.
Joint
A disreputable establishment, or a place of low resort, as for smoking opium; - also used for a commercial establishment, implying a less than impeccable reputation, but often in jest; as, talking about a high-class joint is an oxymoron.
Joint
A marijuana cigarette.
Joint
Prison; - used with "the".
Joint
Joined; united; combined; concerted; as, joint action.
Joint
Involving the united activity of two or more; done or produced by two or more working together.
I read this joint effusion twice over.
Joint
United, joined, or sharing with another or with others; not solitary in interest or action; holding in common with an associate, or with associates; acting together; as, joint heir; joint creditor; a joint bank account; joint debtor, etc.
Joint
Shared by, or affecting two or more; held in common; as, joint property; a joint bond.
A joint burden laid upon us all.
Joint
To unite by a joint or joints; to fit together; to prepare so as to fit together; as, to joint boards.
Pierced through the yielding planks of jointed wood.
Joint
To join; to connect; to unite; to combine.
Jointing their force 'gainst Cæsar.
Joint
To provide with a joint or joints; to articulate.
The fingers are jointed together for motion.
Joint
To separate the joints; of; to divide at the joint or joints; to disjoint; to cut up into joints, as meat.
Quartering, jointing, seething, and roasting.
Joint
To fit as if by joints; to coalesce as joints do; as, the stones joint, neatly.
Joint
(anatomy) the point of connection between two bones or elements of a skeleton (especially if the articulation allows motion)
Joint
A disreputable place of entertainment
Joint
The shape or manner in which things come together and a connection is made
Joint
A piece of meat roasted or for roasting and of a size for slicing into more than one portion
Joint
Junction by which parts or objects are joined together
Joint
Marijuana leaves rolled into a cigarette for smoking
Joint
Fit as if by joints;
The boards fit neatly
Joint
Provide with a joint;
The carpenter jointed two pieces of wood
Joint
Fasten with a joint
Joint
Separate (meat) at the joint
Joint
United or combined;
A joint session of Congress
Joint owners
Joint
Affecting or involving two or more;
Joint income-tax return
Joint ownership
Joint
Involving both houses of a legislature;
A joint session of Congress
Common Curiosities
What is an articulation?
An articulation is a joint, specifically the point of contact between the bones at the joint.
Can articulations be found outside of anatomy?
Yes, in linguistics, articulation refers to the way speech sounds are formed, and in music, it pertains to the execution of notes.
How are joints classified?
Joints are classified based on their structure and function into fibrous, cartilaginous, and synovial joints.
How does arthritis affect joints?
Arthritis causes inflammation of the joints, leading to pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility.
What role do ligaments play in joints?
Ligaments connect bones at a joint, providing stability and guiding motion.
What is a joint?
A joint is a location in the body where two bones are attached for the purpose of motion of body parts.
What is a synovial joint?
A synovial joint is a type of joint that is enclosed in a fluid-filled capsule, allowing for extensive movement.
How do joints contribute to body mechanics?
Joints allow for flexibility and mobility, enabling various body movements.
What is the significance of cartilage in joints?
Cartilage cushions the joints and allows for smooth movement between bones.
What is the most complex joint in the body?
The knee joint is considered one of the most complex due to its structure and the load it bears.
Are all articulations also joints?
Yes, in anatomy, all articulations are types of joints, though the term is used more specifically.
Why is understanding joints important in medicine?
Knowledge of joints helps in diagnosing and treating disorders related to movement, such as arthritis.
How do joints aid in sports?
Joints enable the complex movements required in sports, such as running, throwing, and jumping.
What is the difference between a joint and a bone?
A joint is the point where two or more bones meet, while a bone is a rigid organ that constitutes part of the skeleton.
Can articulation refer to something other than physical joints?
Yes, in speech and music, articulation refers to the manner in which sounds or notes are expressed.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
