Pivot Joint

Uniaxial joint: allows rotational movement. Examples: Atlantoaxial joint (C1–C2 vertebrae articulation); proximal radioulnar joint.   At a pivot joint, a rounded portion of a bone is enclosed within a ring formed partially by the articulation with another bone and...

Saddle Joint

Biaxial joint; allows flexion/extension, abduction/ adduction, and circumduction movements. Examples: First carpometacarpal joint of the thumb; sternoclavicular joint.   At a saddle joint, both of the articulating surfaces for the bones have a saddle shape, which is...

Synovial Joints

Synovial joints are the most common type of joint in the body (Picture 1). A key structural characteristic for a synovial joint that is not seen at fibrous or cartilaginous joints is the presence of a joint cavity. This fluid-filled space is the site at which the...

Hinge Joint – Ginglymoid Joint

Uniaxial joint; allows flexion/extension movements. Examples: Knee; elbow; ankle; interphalangeal joints of fingers and toes.   In a hinge joint, the convex end of one bone articulates with the concave end of the adjoining bone (Picture 1 b). This type of joint allows...

Symphysis

A cartilaginous joint where the bones are joined by fibrocartilage is called a symphysis (“growing together”). Fibrocartilage is very strong because it contains numerous bundles of thick collagen fibers, thus giving it a much greater ability to resist pulling and...