Types of Joints

Synovial Joints (Moveable)

• Hinge Joints

  • allow bending and straightening in one direction

  • ie. knees, elbows

• Ball & Socket Joints

  • allow greatest range of motion, including rotation

  • ie. glenohumeral joints, hip joints

• Pivot Joints

  • allow limited rotation around a single axis

  • ie. neck vertebrae

• Condyloid (Ellipsodial) Joints

  • allow bending, straightening, side to side movement, but NOT full rotation

  • ie. wrists

• Saddle Joints

  • allow back and forth and side to side movement

  • ie. thumbs

• Planar (Gliding) Joints

  • allow bones to slide past one another

  • ie. carpal joints and tarsal joints

Cartilaginous Joints (Slightly Moveable)

• these joints (amphiarthrosis) are connected entirely by cartilage and allow for limited movement

• ie. the joints between spinal vertebrae or the pubic symphysis

Fibrous Joints (Immovable)

• these joints (synarthrosis) have no joint cavity and are connected by tough, fibrous connective

• they do not move, providing stability and protection

• ie. the sutures of the skull