A joint is the place where two bones meet. Most joints hold together, yet allow movement. You can move the parts of your body at the joints. There are different kinds of joints which allow different kinds of movements.
Ball and Socket Joint:
The end of the bones is round like a ball.It fits into a hollow part in the other bone. This type of joint allows movement in all directions. The shoulder and hip joints are ball and socket joints. That is why we can move our arms and legs in all directions.
Hinge Joint:
This type of joint works just like the hinges of a door. It allows only back and forth movements. Hinge joints are found in the knees, elbows, fingers and toes. That is why we can move these parts only in one direction.
Pivot Joint:
The joints between your skull and the backbone is a pivot joint. It allows your head to move left and right, and also up and down.
Gliding Joint:
This kind of joint allows movement in your wrist and ankle,and also between any two vertebrae of the backbone. It allows these bones to slide against each other. It also your back to bend,turn and twist at each joint.
