joints
Joints in the human body are of three main types: fibrous, cartilaginous, and synovial. Fibrous joints are immovable and hold bones tightly together, like in the skull. Cartilaginous joints allow limited movement and connect bones with cartilage, found in areas like the spine. Synovial joints are freely movable and the most common, allowing different kinds of motion. Among synovial joints are hinge joints, which move back and forth like elbows and knees. Ball and socket joints enable rotation and movement in many directions, like shoulders and hips. Pivot joints allow bones to rotate around each other, as seen in the neck. Saddle joints permit movement back and forth and side to side, such as in the thumb. Condyloid joints allow up and down and side to side movement without rotation, found in wrists and fingers. Gliding joints let bones slide over each other, found in wrists and ankles. These joints together allow the body a wide range of movements needed for daily activities.
Ball and socket joints: Allow rotation and movement in many directions (e.g., shoulder, hip).
Hinge joints: Allow bending in one direction (e.g., elbow, knee).
Pivot joints: Allow rotational movement around one axis (e.g., neck).
Saddle joints: Allow movement in two planes (e.g., thumb joint).
Condyloid (ellipsoid) joints: Allow movement up-down and side-side (e.g., wrist).
Gliding joints: Allow bones to slide over each other (e.g., wrist and ankle bones).