Types of Movements at Synovial Joints

Groups of Movements

Gliding

Angular

Rotation

Special Movements

Gliding

A simple movement in which relatively flat bone surfaces move back-and-forth and side-to-side relative to one another.

Limited in range by the articular capsule and ligaments of the joint

Occurs in Planar Jonits (carpals, tarsals, sternoclavicular)

Angular Movements

There is an increase or decrease in the angle between articulating bones Flexion, Extensions, Abduction, Adduction

Flexion/Extension

Flexion - A decrease in the angle between articulating bonesExtension – An increase in the angle between articulating bonesFound in hinge, pivot, condyloid, saddle and ball-and-socket jointsHYPEREXTENSION – extension beyond anatomical position

Abduction/Adduction

Abduction – movement away from the midline of the body

Adduction – movement toward the midline of the body

Found at condyloid, saddle and ball and socket joints

Circumduction

Movement of the distal end of a body part in a circle

Found at ball-and-socket joints

Rotation

A bone revolves around its own longitudinal axis

Found at pivot and ball and socket joints

Special Movements

Occur only at certain joints

Include elevation, depression, protraction, retraction, inversion, eversion, dorsiflection, plantar flexion, supination and pronation

Elevation - upward movement of a body part (closing your mouth)Depression – downward movement of a body part (opening your mouth)Protraction – movement of a body part forward (mandible or clavicles) Retraction – returning a protracted part to anatomical position

Inversion – movement of the soles medially so they face each otherEversion – movement of the soles laterally so they are away from eachotherDorsiflexion – Bending the feet upward (like standing on your heals)Plantar Flexion – Bending the feet down (like standing on your toes)

Supination – turning the palm upward

Pronation – turning the palm downward