Connection lost. Please refresh the page.
Online
EN | DE | PT | ES Get help How to study Login Register
Anatomy
Basics
Terminology Introduction to the musculoskeletal system Introduction to the other systems
Upper limb
Overview Shoulder and arm Elbow and forearm Wrist and hand Nerves and vessels
Lower limb
Overview Hip and thigh Knee and leg Ankle and foot Nerves and vessels
Spine and back
Overview Spine Back
Thorax
Thoracic wall Female breast Mediastinum Lungs Heart
Abdomen
Abdominal wall Peritoneum Stomach Spleen Liver Pancreas Small intestine Large intestine Kidneys and ureters Nerves, vessels and lymphatics of the abdomen
Pelvis and perineum
Pelvic girdle and floor Female pelvis and reproductive organs Male pelvis and reproductive organs Urinary bladder and urethra Perineum Nerves, vessels and lymphatics of the pelvis
Head and neck
Overview Skull Face and scalp Infratemporal region and pterygopalatine fossa Orbit and contents Nasal region Ear Oral cavity Teeth Pharynx Neck
Neuroanatomy
Overview Cerebrum Diencephalon Cerebellum Brainstem Meninges, ventricular system and subarachnoid space Blood supply of the brain Spinal cord Pathways of the nervous system Cranial nerves Peripheral nervous system
Cross sections
Head and neck Upper limb Thorax Abdomen Male pelvis Female pelvis Lower extremity
Radiological anatomy
Head and neck Thorax Abdomen and pelvis Upper limb Lower limb
Histology
General
Introduction to cells and tissues Epithelial tissue Connective tissue Nervous tissue Muscle tissue Cartilage and bone
Systems
Cardiovascular system Nervous system Integumentary system Musculoskeletal system Respiratory system Urinary system Endocrine system Digestive system Lymphatic system Male reproductive system Female reproductive system
AnatomyBasicsIntroduction to the musculoskeletal system
Synovial joints

Register now and grab your free ultimate anatomy study guide!

Go Premium

Synovial joints

Learning objectives

After completing this study unit you will be able to:

  1. Name the 6 types of synovial joints. 
  2. Identify examples for each synovial joint type.
  3. Discover the axes of movement allowed by each type of synovial joint.

Watch video

Synovial joints are the most common types of joints in the human body. They typically connect two bones (usually in the limbs) and they give the human body its mobility.

There are 6 different types of synovial joints, each of which is named for its shape.

In the following video we will examine the structure of the synovial joint, the 6 types of synovial joints along with some examples of each type.

Take a quiz

Now that you’ve watched the video, test what you have learned with our tailored synovial joints quiz!

Test yourself even further with a fully customizable quiz on the joints of the human body! 

Custom quiz: Joints of the human body For a broader topic focus, try this customizable quiz.

Browse atlas

Examine each component of a synovial joint with our atlas gallery:

Plane joint
Articulatio plana
1/17
Synonyms: Arthrodial joint, Gliding Joint

Summary

Key points about the synovial joints
Types Plane, ellipsoid, hinge, ball and socket, pivot, saddle
Examples Plane joint: Acromioclavicular joint, intercarpal joints
Ellipsoid joint: Radiocarpal joint, metacarpophalangeal joints
Hinge joint: Elbow joint, knee joint, ankle joint
Ball and socket joint: Hip joint, shoulder joint
Pivot joint: Median atlantoaxial joint, radioulnar joints
Saddle joint: Carpometacarpal joint of thumb
Main components of synovial joints Articular cartilage: Covers the ends of the articulating bones
Articular capsule: Composed of an outer fibrous layer and inner synovial membrane
Joint cavity: Filled with synovial fluid
Reinforcing ligaments: Support the articular capsule

Well done!

Related articles

Types of joints: Arthrology Read article
Types of movements in the human body Read article

Continue your learning

Register now and grab your free ultimate anatomy study guide!

Want access to our Study Units?

Create your free account ➞

Trusted by over 2 million students!