8.1 Types of Body Movements at Synovial Joints
Learning Objectives
By the end of this section, you will be able to:
- Review the different types of body movements
- Identify the joints that allow for these motions
Synovial joints allow the body a tremendous range of movements. Each movement at a synovial joint results from the contraction or relaxation of the muscles that are attached to the bones on either side of the articulation. The type of movement that can be produced at a synovial joint is determined by its structural type. While the ball-and-socket joint gives the greatest range of movement at an individual joint, in other regions of the body, several joints may work together to produce a particular movement. Overall, each type of synovial joint is necessary to provide the body with its great flexibility and mobility. There are many types of movement that can occur at synovial joints (Table 8.1). Movement types are generally paired, with one being the opposite of the other. Body movements are always described in relation to the anatomical position of the body: upright stance, with upper limbs to the side of body and palms facing forward. Refer to Figure 8.2 as you go through this section.
|
Type of Joint |
Movement |
Example |
|
Pivot |
Uniaxial joint that allows rotational movement |
Atlantoaxial joints (C1-C2) Proximal radioulnar joint |
|
Hinge |
Uniaxial joint that allows flexion/extension movements |
Knee; elbow; ankle Interphalangeal joints of fingers and toes |
|
Condyloid |
Biaxial joint that allows flexion/extension and abduction/adduction movements |
Metacarpophalangeal (knuckle) joints of fingers Radiocarpal joint of wrist Metatarsophalangeal joints |
|
Saddle |
Biaxial joint that allows flexion/extension and abduction/adduction movements |
First carpometacarpal joint of the thumb Sternoclavicular joint |
|
Plane |
Multiaxial joint that allows inversion and eversion of foot, or flexion, extension and lateral flexion of the vertebral column |
Intertarsal joints of foot Superior-inferior articular process articulations between vertebrae |
|
Ball-and-socket |
Multiaxial joint that allows flexion/extension, abduction/adduction, internal/external rotation movements |
Shoulder and hip joints |
Synovial joints give the body many ways in which to move. (a)–(b) Flexion and extension motions are in the sagittal (anterior–posterior) plane of motion. These movements take place at the shoulder, hip, elbow, knee, wrist, metacarpophalangeal, metatarsophalangeal, and interphalangeal joints. (c)–(d) Anterior bending of the head or vertebral column is flexion, while any posterior-going movement is extension. (e) Abduction and adduction are motions of the limbs, hand, fingers, or toes in the coronal (medial–lateral) plane of movement. Moving the limb or hand laterally away from the body, or spreading the fingers or toes, is abduction. Adduction brings the limb or hand toward or across the midline of the body, or brings the fingers or toes togethe