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AnatomyBasicsIntroduction to the musculoskeletal systemHinge-joint
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AnatomyBasicsIntroduction to the musculoskeletal systemHinge-joint

Hinge-joint

Author: Danijel Tosovic, PhD • Reviewer: Dimitrios Mytilinaios, MD, PhD
Last reviewed: October 30, 2023
Reading time: 1 minute

Recommended video: Types of synovial joints [18:19]
Synovial joints are the main type of joints found in the body.
Hinge joint
Ginglymus
1/2
Synonyms: none

Synovial joints are the most common types of joints in the human body. The hinge joint is one of six types of synovial joints along with the plane, ellipsoid, ball and socket, pivot and saddle joints. 

The hinge joint is a uni-axial synovial joint that functions much like a hinge on a door. It allows bones to move in one plane with a limited movement along other planes. It typically connects two bones and includes a convex surface of one bone that articulates with a concave surface of the other bone. 

The hinge joints usually allow flexion and extension. Some examples of hinge joints are elbow, knee, fingers, toes, etc.

Terminology English: Hinge joint
Latin: Ginglymus
Type Uniaxial synovial joint
Function Allows movement in a single plane (along a single transverse axis) with limited movement in other planes.

Test your knowledge of synovial joints with this quiz:

Find out all about the synovial joints in the following study unit:

Synovial joints Explore study unit

Sources

All content published on Kenhub is reviewed by medical and anatomy experts. The information we provide is grounded on academic literature and peer-reviewed research. Kenhub does not provide medical advice. You can learn more about our content creation and review standards by reading our content quality guidelines.

Drake, R., Vogl, W., Mitchell, A. & Gray, H. (2015). Gray's anatomy for students. Philadelphia, PA: Churchill Livingstone/Elsevier.

McKinley, M. & Loughlin, V. (2012). Human anatomy. New York: McGraw-Hill.

Moore, K. L., Dalley, A. F., & Agur, A. M. R. (2014). Clinically Oriented Anatomy (7th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Standring, S. (2016). Gray's Anatomy (41st ed.). Edinburgh: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone.

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