Biology · Locomotion and Movement · NEET
Yes. All five are synovial joints because each has a fluid-filled synovial cavity between the bones. NEET loves to trick you here: in 2017 the question 'The pivot joint between atlas and axis is a type of...' had the answer Synovial joint, not 'Pivot joint' as a separate class. Remember: fibrous, cartilaginous and synovial are the three MAIN structural classes. Ball-socket, hinge, pivot, gliding and saddle are only sub-types INSIDE the synovial group.
A hinge joint allows movement in one plane only, like a door (example: knee joint, between humerus and ulna at the elbow). A pivot joint allows rotation around one axis, like turning your head (example: between atlas and axis). Hinge = bend and straighten. Pivot = rotate/twist.
A pivot joint (which is a synovial joint). The atlas is the 1st cervical vertebra and the axis is the 2nd; their pivot joint lets you rotate your head side to side to say 'no'. Do not confuse this with the atlanto-occipital joint (between skull and atlas).
The only NCERT saddle-joint example is between the carpal and metacarpal of the thumb. This is why your thumb can move in two planes (opposition), unlike your other fingers. NEET match-the-column questions repeatedly pair 'saddle joint' with 'carpal and metacarpal of thumb'.
A gliding joint lets flat bone surfaces slide over each other, allowing small movements. The NCERT example is between the carpals (wrist bones). In match questions, 'gliding joint' always links to 'between the carpals'.
NCERT specifies it is between the humerus and the pectoral girdle (the shoulder joint). It allows movement in all directions (rotational movement), which is the widest range of any joint. NEET 2023 and 2024 both matched 'ball and socket joint' with 'humerus and pectoral girdle'.
The pivot joint between atlas and axis is a type of
Match the following joints with the bones involved: (a) Gliding joint (b) Hinge joint (c) Pivot joint (d) Saddle joint | (i) Between carpal and metacarpal of thumb (ii) Between Atlas and Axis (iii) Between the carpals (iv) Between Humerus and Ulna
Match List I with List II: A. Cartilaginous Joint B. Ball and Socket Joint C. Fibrous Joint D. Saddle Joint | I. Between flat skull bones II. Between adjacent vertebrae III. Between carpal and metacarpal of thumb IV. Between Humerus and Pectoral Girdle
Try the real previous-year questions from this chapter — each with the answer and a full solution.
Five: ball-and-socket, hinge, pivot, gliding and saddle. Each has one fixed NCERT example you must memorise.
The presence of a fluid-filled synovial cavity between the two articulating bone surfaces. This fluid allows considerable, free movement, which is why synovial joints help in locomotion.
The ball-and-socket joint (shoulder, between humerus and pectoral girdle). It allows movement in all directions, including rotation.
The knee is a hinge joint. It bends and straightens in one plane only, like a door hinge.
Use the pairs: Ball-socket = humerus + pectoral girdle; Hinge = knee (or humerus + ulna); Pivot = atlas + axis; Gliding = between carpals; Saddle = carpal + metacarpal of thumb. These exact pairs come up in match-the-column PYQs almost every year.
