Structural types of synovial joints

Plane Joint (gliding joint) - structure

flat articular surfaces

Plane Joint (gliding joint) - movement

gliding or slipping movements; nonaxial

Plane Joint (gliding joint) - examples

intercarpal joints, intertarsal joints, facets between vertebrae

Hinge Joint - structure

convex surface of one bone fits into a concave surface of another

Hinge Joint - movement

uniaxial - flexion and extension only

Hinge Joint - examples

elbow, knee, interphalangeal joints

Pivot Joint - structure

rounded or pointed surface of one bone fits into a ring formed by another bone + ligament

Pivot Joint - movement

uniaxial rotation

Pivot Joint - examples

atlas-axis (dens) joint (head rotation “no”)

proximal radioulnar joint (forearm rotation)

Condylar (Ellipsoidal) Joint - structure

oval articular surface fits into an oval depression

Condylar (Ellipsoidal) Joint - movement

biaxial - flexion/extension + abduction/adduction

can also produce circumduction

Condylar (Ellipsoidal) Joint - examples

wrist joint, metacarpophalangeal (knuckle) joints

Saddle Joint - Structure

each articulating surface has both concave and convex areas (like a saddle)

Condylar (Ellipsoidal) Joint - Movement

Biaxial - similar to condylar but with greater freedom

Saddle joint - example

carpometacarpal joint of thumb

Ball and Socket joint - structure

spherical head of one bone fits into a cuplike socket of another

Ball and Socket joint - movement

multiaxial - movement in all directions: flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, rotation, circumduction

Ball and Socket joint - examples

shoulder and hip joints