Types of Synovial Joints

Condyloid Joint

Features an oval shaped process of one bone, articulating with a cup shaped socket of another; permits movement in many directions except rotation. Ex. Joint between metacarpales and phalanges

Gliding Joint

Features articulating surfaces that are flat or slightly curved; Allows for sligind back and forth as well as twisting movements. Ex. ankle and wrist joints and joints between adjacent vertebrae

Pivot Joint

Features the cylindrical surface of one bone rotating within a ring formed of bone and fibrous tissue of a ligament; movement is limited to rotating around a central axis. Ex. proximal ends of the radius and ulna, and in the neck when the head turns side to side.

Saddle Joints

Formed between bones whose articulating surfaces have concave and convex regions; movement is in two planes. Ex. joint between the carpal bone and the metacarpal bone of the thumb

Hinge Joint

Involves the concave surface of one bone articulating with the convex surface of another; permits movement in only one plane. Ex. the elbow joint and the knee joint is a modified hinge joint.

Ball and socket joint

Provides the widest range of motion of any joint; permits movements in all planes as well as rotational movement on central axis.