American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) Practice Exam

Joints are classified according to what criteria?

1. The type of connective tissue at the articulating surfaces

2. The number of bones involved in the joint

3. The range of motion allowed by the joint

4. The presence of fluid in the joint

The correct answer is: The type of connective tissue at the articulating surfaces

The classification of joints primarily relies on the type of connective tissue at the articulating surfaces. This approach to classification focuses on how the bones in the joint are held together, identifying joints as fibrous, cartilaginous, or synovial based on the connective tissue present. Each type offers distinct structural characteristics and varying degrees of stability and mobility. For example, fibrous joints, such as sutures in the skull, involve dense connective tissue that limits motion, while synovial joints, such as the knee, contain fluid and allow for greater mobility due to their unique structure with ligaments, cartilage, and synovial fluid. This classification not only informs us about the physical attributes of the joint but also about its functional capacity.