Joints

Question 1

What is a plane/ gliding joint ?

Answer 1

Plane/gliding joints allow sliding or gliding movement when one bone moves across another. Their articular surfaces are usually flat and have limited movement.

Acromioclavicular, areas of wrist and ankle, 2nd-7th sternocostal

Question 2

What is a pivot joint ?

Answer 2

Pivot joints allow movement on once axis, usually permitting rotation.

Radioulnar, Atlanto-axial

Question 3

What is a hinge joint ?

Answer 3

Hinge joints allow movement on one axis, usually permitting only flexion and extension. Bones usually seem moulded to the shape of the joint.

Elbow, ankle, knee,

Question 4

What is a saddle joint ?

Answer 4

Saddle joints allow movement on two axes that are at a right angle to each other. Their articular surfaces are saddle shaped, usually permitting flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, and circumduction.

Thumb, sternoclavicular, middle ear, certain heel joints (calcaneocuboid)

Question 5

What is a ball and socket joint ?

Answer 5

Ball and socket joint allow movement in multiple axes, usually permitting a full range of movements including flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, circumduction, and rotation.

Hip, shoulder

Question 6

What is a Ellipsoid/condyloid/ bicondylar joint ?

Answer 6

These joints allow movement in one axis, sometimes with limited rotation in a second axis. They are sometimes formed by two convex condyles that articulate with concave or flat surfaces.

Wrist, metacarpophalangeal, metatarsophalangeal, Atlanto-occipital, knee