Joints

We can easily bend to pick up objects below us because of joints, which connect bones and let us bend, twist, and turn.

Joints in the human body are of three main types.

First are fixed joints. These don’t move and are found in places like your skull, where the bones are fused together to protect your brain.

Next are partly movable joints, like those in your spine. They allow limited movement, giving you flexibility while keeping your body stable.

The most common type is movable joints, which give our bodies a full range of motion. There are four types of movable joints.

Let’s start with the ball-and-socket joints in the shoulders and hips, which let you move your arms and legs in almost any direction.

Next are hinge joints, like those in the knees and elbows. They work like door hinges, allowing back-and-forth movement.

Then come the pivot joints in the neck and forearm, which allow bones to turn and rotate.

Lastly, gliding joints in wrists and ankles let bones slide past each other for small, smooth movements.