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synovial joint

anatomy
Also known as: diarthrosis

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major reference

  • knee joint
    In joint: Structure and elements of synovial joints

    The synovial bursas are closed, thin-walled sacs, lined with synovial membrane. Bursas are found between structures that glide upon each other, and all motion at diarthroses entails some gliding, the amount varying from one joint to another. The bursal fluid, exuded by the…

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ankle

  • X-ray of a human ankle
    In ankle

    …in humans, hinge-type, freely moving synovial joint between the foot and leg. The ankle contains seven tarsal bones that articulate (connect) with each other, with the metatarsal bones of the foot, and with the bones of the lower leg. The articulation of one of the tarsal bones, the ankle bone…

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skeletal systems

  • vertebrate: skeleton
    In skeleton: Joints

    …into two main categories, the synovial joint and the nonsynovial joint. In the former, known also as diarthrosis, a cleft occurs between the free surfaces of two skeletal parts; during movements these surfaces slide on each other. In the nonsynovial type, known also as synarthrosis, the skeletal parts are connected…

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Also called:
rotary joint, or trochoid joint

pivot joint, in vertebrate anatomy, a freely moveable joint (diarthrosis) that allows only rotary movement around a single axis. The moving bone rotates within a ring that is formed from a second bone and adjoining ligament. The pivot joint is exemplified by the joint between the atlas and the axis (first and second cervical vertebrae), directly under the skull, which allows for turning of the head from side to side. Pivot joints also provide for the twisting movement of the bones of the forearm (radius and ulna) against the upper arm, a movement used, for instance, in unscrewing the lid of a jar.

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica This article was most recently revised and updated by Adam Augustyn.