Saddle joint

Saddle joint
1: Ball and socket joint; 2: Condyloid joint (Ellipsoid); 3: Saddle joint; 4 Hinge joint; 5: Pivot joint;
Ligaments of wrist. Posterior view.
Latin	articulatio sellaris
Gray's	subject #70 286

In a saddle joint (sellar joint, articulation by reciprocal reception) the opposing surfaces are reciprocally concave-convex.

Movements

The movements are as same as in the condyloid joint; that is to say, flexion, extension, adduction, abduction, and circumduction are allowed; but no axial rotation. Saddle joints are said to be biaxial, allowing movement in the sagittal and frontal planes.

Examples

The best example of this form is the carpometacarpal joint of the thumb as well as the sternoclavicular joint.

External links

• Diagram at phschool.com

This article was originally based on an entry from a public domain edition of Gray's Anatomy. As such, some of the information contained within it may be outdated.