Ball and socket joint
1: Ball and socket joint; 2: Condyloid joint (Ellipsoid); 3: Saddle joint; 4 Hinge joint; 5: Pivot joint;
Capsule of shoulder-joint (distended). Anterior aspect.
Latin	articulatio spheroidea
Gray's	subject #70 287

A ball and socket joint (enarthrosis, spheroidal joint) is a joint in which the distal bone is capable of motion around an indefinite number of axes, which have one common center.It helps the bone to move in a 360° angle.

In a ball and socket (or spheroid) joint, the ball-shaped surface of one bone fits into the cuplike depression of another.

The ball and socket joint is a movable joint, that consists of one bone that is rounded and that fits within a cuplike bone.

Movements

Movements possible are flexion-extension, abduction-adduction, rotation (triaxial) and circumduction.

Examples

Examples of this form of articulation are found in the hip and shoulder.^[1]

References

Additional images

Hip

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