Different types of joints

There are many types of joints, including joints that do not move in adults, such as the suture joints in the skull. Joints that do not move are called "fixed." Other joints may move a little, such as the vertebrae. Examples of mobile joints include the following:

• ball-and-socket joints
  Ball-and-socket joints, such as the shoulder and hip joints, allow backward, forward, sideways, and rotating movements.
• hinge joints
  Hinge joints, such as in the fingers, knees, elbows, and toes, allow only bending and straightening movements.
• pivot joints
  Pivot joints, such as the neck joints, allow limited rotating movements.
• ellipsoidal joints
  Ellipsoidal joints, such as the wrist joint, allows all types of movement except pivotal movements