types of synovial joints

plane joint

nonaxial movement

• flat articular surfaces “gliding” against the other

• ex. intercarpal joints, intertarsal joints, joints between vertebral articular surfaces

saddle joint

biaxial movement

• articular surfaces are both concave and convex

• allow for adduction and abduction & flexion and extension

• ex. carpometacarpal joints of the thumbs

pivot joint

uniaxial movement

• made of sleeve (bone and ligament) & axle (rounded bone)

• allows for rotation

• ex. proximal radioulnar joints & atlantoaxial joint

condylar joint

biaxial movement

• oval articular surfaces

• allow for flexion and extension & adduction & abduction

• ex. metacarpophalangeal (knuckle) joints, wrist joints

hinge joint

uniaxial movement

• made of cylinder & trough

• allows for flexion and extension

• ex. elbow joints, interphalangeal joints

ball and socket joint

multiaxial movement

• made of cup (socket) and spherical head (ball)

• allows for flexion and extension, adduction and abduction, and rotation

• ex. shoulder joints and hip joints