Ball-and-Socket Joint

Mercksource.com, an online medical dictionary, describes a ball-and-socket joint as one in which the
rounded surface of a bone fits into and moves within a cup-shaped depression. Examples of this type
of synovial joint are the hip and shoulder joints. The ball-and-socket joint allows freedom of
movement up, down, right, left and in a full 360-degree rotation.

Hinged Joint
Hinged joints include the elbow, fingers, toes and knee. Movement occurs in only one direction or
one plane. Innerbody.com states that the hinged joint in the knee is unusual because it allows the knee
to swivel, turning the foot from side to side.
 Gliding Joint
Gliding joints allow two or more flat or slightly rounded
bones to move easily together without friction or grinding.
Enotes.com, an online nursing encyclopedia, states the
function of a gliding joint is to allow motions such as
smooth sliding of bone past bone, bending, stretching and
circular motion. Examples of gliding joints include the
forearm to wrist joint and the lower leg to ankle joint.

Pivot Joint
A pivot joint is a synovial joint designed with one
end fitting like a cylinder inside a ring. Pivot joints
at the base of the skull allow the head to rotate.
Other pivot points allow the rotation of the palm.