Synovial joints: want to learn more about it?
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Synovial joints
Learning objectives
This study unit will help you to:
1. Learn the 6 types of synovial joints.
2. Identify examples for each synovial joint type.
3. Learn the characteristic structure of a 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!
Browse atlas
:watermark(/images/watermark_5000_10percent.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/atlas_overview_image/2026/hgoDEYbzOb3AoVDPT2Gkg_synovial-joint-structure_english.jpg "The left image shows the six types of synovial joints classified based on the shape of their articulating surfaces and the movements they allow. The right image shows the components of a typical synovial joint, taking the knee joint as an example."){kind=logo}
Examine each component of a synovial joint with our atlas gallery:
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/ball-and-socket-joint/r230ndsudSfv3l0exLPkog_Ball_and_Socket_Joint.png "Ball and socket joint (Articulatio sphaeroidea)"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/gliding-joint/0l7RDXDr4OUdRaVojCsoQ_Gliding_Joint.png "Plane joint (Articulatio plana)"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/hinge-joint/WF92kIRQyj3qzC0MBfHM9Q_Hinge_joint.png "Hinge joint (Ginglymus)"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/pivot-joint/6zYt0TJNvnk4Svr8eQjGTw_Pivot_Joint.png "Pivot joint (Articulatio trochoidea)"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/saddle-joint/LU1bEcSp909Z0dQzfxdzg_Saddle_Joint.png "Saddle joint (Articulatio sellaris)"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/ellipsoid-joint/Em2W5Xz4fM597Hlb4A1g_Ellipsoid_Joint.png "Ellipsoid joint (Articulatio ellipsoidea)"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/femur-8/JIupeAjCe7h2QGcCrbVLw_2femur.png "Femur (Os femoris)"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/tibia-9/N3stymAk0uuAQShUMtJA_999Tibia.png "Tibia"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/articular-cavity/rGyPasV5Md8hp15Q4t7B6w_articular_cavity.png "Articular cavity (Cavitas articularis)"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/articular-cartilages-1/jJGAzqArVhSQXPTLgrOsaQ_articular_cartilage.png "Articular cartilage (Cartilago articularis)"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/synovial-membrane-1/hmPP3gBNm60C1Wi5FLoSng_synovial_membrane.png "Synovial membrane (Membrana synovialis)"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/articular-capsule-1/o3atVJQe1AqLvshKARIQLQ_articular_capsule.png "Articular capsule (Capsula articularis)"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/fat-pad/om4qmuY8dvausLPsDYlaaQ_infrapatellar_fat_pad.png "Fat pad (Corpus adiposum)"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/bursae/OZTAuvB5Aj61I5rLd7awZA_deep_subtendinous_infrapatellar_bursa_magnified.png "Bursa"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/tendon-1/ofPAiTzLsX0nSd4LUtzw_quadriceps_femoris_tendon.png "Tendon (Tendo)"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/articular-disc/QxnkKuz6Fxq53UebfrtbQ_lateral_meniscus.png "Articular disc (Discus articularis)"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/reinforcing-ligaments/3nouDIVc6AHHpOsuUHQ_o7BpNne6fzXZklosCwCg_600patellar_ligament.png "Reinforcing ligament (Ligamentum capsulare)"){kind=logo}
Summary
| 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!
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Continue your learning
Now that you have mastered the anatomy of the synovial joints, dive deeper into the main joints of the body and types of movements that they can produce:
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