Anatomical Joint Models

Almost all joints work in the same way. They link one bone to another, with ligaments and cartilage to allow the connection to move in a specific way. As the muscles contract, they pull on the joints, which enable us to move.

One of the most common joint disorders is osteoarthritis, which is when the cartilage between joints wears down and causes the bones to rub together. This can lead to stiffness, swelling, and pain. Other factors, such as injury, can cause problems in the joints, especially if left untreated. A physiotherapist or other healthcare professional will be able to advise you on exercises to help relieve joint pain.

There are three main types of joints in the human body, typically categorised by their movement. These are synarthroses (immovable) such as the plates of the skull, amphiarthroses (slightly moveable) including the vertebrae of the spine, and diarthrosis or synovial (freely moveable) which are the most common.

There are six different types of diarthrosis or synovial joints in the human body. Ball and socket joints allow movement in all directions, such as your shoulder or hip joint does. Condyloid joints allow movement without rotation, like your jaw or finger. Gliding joints, also known as the plane join, allow limited movement, such as your wrist. Hinge joints, like the knee, work in one direction. Pivot joints are where one bone swivels within a ring formed by a second bone, such as the join between vertebrae in your neck. The saddle joint, such as in the base of your thumb, allows movement but not rotation.