What is a Synovial Joint?

A synovial joint is the most movable and most widespread type of joint throughout the body. It sometimes is referred to as a diarthroses. The term "synovial" refers to the tissue involved in the joint, and "diarthroses" refers to the movement enabled. Some examples of these joints are those found in the wrist, elbow, hip and knee.

"Synovial" is derived from the Latin word for egg. The name was given because of the egg-white appearance of synovial fluid as well as the nourishing effect it has on the joint. Synovial joints are distinct from fibrous or cartilaginous joints, which do not involve joint cavities and are less mobile.

The unique structure of this type of joint includes a supportive cavity lined by a membrane. The cavity and membrane extend outward from the articular cartilage. The synovial membrane secretes synovial fluid, which provides lubrication for the highly mobile joint. Synovial joints might involve more ligaments than are typical for other joints, helping to stabilize the joint i spite of its varied movement. Like other kinds of joints, synovial joints host an extensive nerve network.

A synovial joint can be one of several distinct types, including plane, hinge, pivot, condyloid, saddle and ball-and-socket joints. Plane joints allow a sliding movement in either direction of one plane. Most plane joints are found in the vertebrae, hands and feet. Hinge joints also allow movement in either direction on one plane, allowing either flexion or extension, but not sliding. Hinge joints are located mid-limb and mid-digit. Another joint allowing only one-directional movement or its opposite is the pivot joint. A pivot joint involves a smoothed, surrounded bone that can be turned in place like a wheel. These are present in the vertebrae as well as in the hip.

Condyloid joints are capable of moving in either direction on two planes, with one direction typically being dominant. These joints are also capable of circumduction, circular movement that involves both planes. An example of a condyloid joint is the wrist. Saddle joints are very similar to condyloid joints but are more apt to circumduction. The joint of the thumb is a saddle joint.

The type of synovial joint with the most freedom of movement is the ball-and-socket joint. These joints allow rotation in addition to the range of motion allowed by a saddle joint. The unique role of rotation can be observed in the twisting action of opening a jar lid, which would not be possible without the ball-and-socket joint that is the shoulder.