Types of Joints
(between bones in the human body)
Different types of joints enable the bones forming the joints to move relative to each other in different ways and to different extents, i.e. from freely moveable to hardly any movement at all.
The types of joints in the human body can be classified according to either
- the structure of the joint (how the bones are attached together) or
- the function of the joint (described in terms of the extent of possible movement of the bones forming the joint).
There is, of course, a connection between the structure of a joint and the degree of movement of the bones it allows. It is useful to know the words used to refer to and describe different classes of types of joints - see the table below.
Some practical courses concentrate on the structural types (or "classes") of joints.
Structural Classes of Joints |
 |
Functional Classes of Joints |
How are the bones attached ?
Is there a synovial cavity ?
What type of connective tissue is involved ? |
How much movement is permitted between bones forming the joint ? |
 |
|
 |
|
Fibrous Joints
(fixed) |
Bones held together by fibrous connective tissue incl. many collagen fibres. No synovial cavity/fluid. |
May be examples of ... |
Immoveable joint |
Synarthrosis (singular)
Synarthroses (plural) |
Cartilaginous Joints
(slightly moveable) |
Bones held together by cartilage.
No synovial cavity/fluid. |
May be examples of ... |
Slightly moveable joint |
Amphiarthrosis (singular)
Amphiarthroses (plural) |
Synovial Joints
(incl. freely moveable) |
Joint includes a synovial cavity containing fluid secreted by the synovial membrane. Bones forming the joint surrounded by an articular capsule. |
Some synovial joints are  |
Moveable Joint, or "Freely moveable joint" |
Diarthrosis (singular)
Diarthroses (plural) |
|
This table (above) is to summarize the meanings of words used to describe joints in the human body, that is skeletal joints between bones.
The vocabulary to remember includes: fibrous joints, cartilaginous joints, synovial joints, fixed joints, slightly moveable joints, freely moveable joints, immoveable joints, synarthrosis, synarthroses, amphiarthrosis, amphiarthroses, diarthrosis and diarthroses. All of these terms refer to classes (= "groups" or "categories") of types of joints. There are also names of specific types of joints within these categories.
How many types of joints in the human body ?
Studying human biology or human anatomy involves learning many lists. Some test or exam questions ask for a specific number of examples that is fewer than the total number of possible examples of joints, bones, muscles, etc.. When answering test questions take note of the specific type (e.g. of joints) asked for. Also pay attention to the level of detail required e.g. "list" or "name" as opposed to "sketch", "define", "describe" or "give examples of".
The following table includes examples of lists of types of joints. See also the links to further information where available.
Example of requested list / question |
|
List of Types of Joints |
|
|
3 types of joints
i.e. categories of types of joints
|
|
- Fibrous (fixed)
- Cartilaginous
(slightly moveable or immoveable)
- Synovial
(incl. freely moveable)
|
- Immoveable
- Slightly moveable
- Moveable or
"Freely moveable"
|
- immoveable (synarthroses)
- slightly moveable (amphiarthroses)
- freely moveable (diarthroses)
|
Which list ? If you're not sure, use the words taught in your class or textbook. |
|
= 3 types of joints in the body
= 3 types of joints in the human body
|
|
|
6 types of synovial joints |
|
- Hinge, e.g. interphalangeal joints - fingers and toes
- Ball and socket, e.g. hip and shoulder joints
- Pivot, e.g. atlantoaxial joint between the atlas and axis - neck
- Gliding (= "Condyloid" joint), e.g. between radius, scaphoid and lunate bones - wrist
- Saddle, e.g. between trapezium and metacarpal I - thumb joint
- Planar, e.g. between the navicular and second cuniform - ankle
This list does not have a specific order. The numbers show that 6 items are listed. There is no need to include examples unless asked for - but they may help students remember the joint types. |
if "synovial joints" has already been made clear, e.g. in the title of the question, it may just say "6 types of joints" |
|
|
4 types of movable joints |
|
- Hinge, e.g. interphalangeal joints - fingers and toes
- Ball and socket, e.g. hip and shoulder joints
- Pivot, e.g. atlantoaxial joint between the atlas and axis - neck
- Gliding (= "Condyloid" joint), e.g. between radius, scaphoid and lunate bones - wrist
- Saddle, e.g. between trapezium and metacarpal I - thumb joint
- Planar, e.g. between the navicular and second cuniform - ankle
There is no need for examples unless asked for - but they may help students remember the joint types.
|
Movable joints can include both "slightly movable joints" and "freely movable joints" so there are more than four to choose from. As fibrous and cartilaginous joints generally allow "little or no movement" it is safer to choose examples from the list of synovial joints e.g. as listed on the right. |
|
|
3 types of fibrous joints |
|
- Sutures, (immovable - synarthroses)
e.g. between the cranial bones - skull
- Syndesmoses, (slightly movable - amphiarthroses)
e.g. articulation between the tibia and fibula - lower leg
- Gomphoses, (immovable - synarthroses)
e.g. articulations of the roots of the teeth - mouth
This list does not have a specific order. The numbers show that 3 items are listed. |
|
|
2 types of cartilaginous joints |
|
- Synchondroses, (immovable - synarthroses)
- Symphses, (slightly movable - amphiarthroses)
This list does not have a specific order. The numbers show that 2 items are listed. |
|
|
7 types of joints |
|
Choose 7 types of joints from those listed below, or include as many as required:
- Hinge (movable joint)
- Ball and socket (movable joint)
- Pivot (movable joint)
- Gliding or "Condyloid", (movable joint)
- Saddle (movable joint)
- Planar (movable joint)
- Symphses (slightly movable joint)
- Synchondroses (immovable joint)
- Sutures (immovable joint)
- Syndesmoses (slightly movable joint)
- Gomphoses (immovable joint)
This list does not have a specific order. The numbers indicate how many types of joint are listed.
A simpler list, e.g. for UK GCSE PE (=GCSE Physical Education) could be:
- Hinge (movable joint)
- Ball and socket (movable joint)
- Pivot (movable joint)
- Gliding or "Condyloid", (movable joint)
- Saddle (movable joint)
- Slightly Movable joint
- Immovable joint
This list does not have a specific order. The numbers indicate how many types of joint are listed. |
When a question asks for so many different types of joints - or just for a list of as many different types of joints as possible - you can write a longer list by including categories of types of joints (see top of this table) together with specific types of fibrous, cartilaginous and freely movable joints. |
|
|
This is the end of this page about types of joints in the human body. See also features on bones, the structure
and functions of bones, the 206 human bones, cranial
and facial bones, bones
of the feet and hands and skeletal disorders are also included.
