Question

Which of the following types of joints are present in the elbow?

• A. Ball and Socket joint
• B. Hinge joint
• C. Fixed joint
• D. All of the above

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

Hinge joint

• A hinge joint is a common class of synovial joint (diarthrosis joint, surrounded by cartilage) that includes the ankle, elbow and knee joints. Hinge joints are formed between two or more bones where the bones can only move along one axis to flex or extend. Maximum rotation in hinge joint is up to 180${}^o$.
  
• The ball and socket joint also called as the spheroidal joint is a joint in which the ball-like rounded surface of a bone moves within a cup-like depression on another bone, this allows greater freedom of movement than any other kind of joint. Example:- hip joint of mammals. Maximum rotation in ball and socket joints is 360${}^o$ i.e. full circle.
  
• Fixed joints are immovable joints which are found at those locations in the body where the bones provide protection to the internal body organs. Example:- ribcage, skull joints (sutures).
  

Hence, the type of joints present in the elbow is the 'hinge joint'.