A skeletal articulation where two bones are held together by flexible soft tissues allowing components of the skeleton to move when muscles on opposite sides of the joint contract or relax.
Soft tissues of the joint include the joint capsule, ligaments, tendons, cartilage, synovial membrane and menisci.
Ligaments connect opposing bones.
Tendons attach muscles to bones.
Cartilage cushions the surfaces of opposing bones.
The synovial membrane secretes nutrients an lubricates the joint.
Menisci are fibrous cushions in a number joints.