What is Ball and socket joint?
{{Infobox anatomy | Name = Ball and socket joint | | Image = Gelenke_Zeichnung01.jpg | Caption = '''1''': Ball and socket joint; '''2''': [[Condyloid joint]] (Ellipsoid); '''3''': [[Saddle joint]]; '''4''' [[Hinge joint]]; '''5''': [[Pivot joint]]; | Image2 = Gray327.png | Caption2 = Capsule of [[shoulder]]-joint (distended). Anterior aspect. | System = | Precursor = }} A '''ball and socket joint''' ('''enarthrosis''', '''spheroidal joint''') is a [[joint]] in which the ball-shaped surface of a bone fits into the cup-like indentation of another bone. This type of joint allows the bone to move in a 360° angle—with more freedom than other joints.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |url=http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/50423/ball-and-socket-joint |title=Ball-and-socket joint |encyclopedia=[[Encyclopædia Britannica]] |publisher=Encyclopædia Britannica Online |access-date=10 March 2011}}</ref> ==Examples== Examples of this type of joint occur: *in the [[hip]], where the rounded head of the [[femur]] (ball) rests in the cup-like [[acetabulum]] (socket) of the [[pelvis]]. *in the [[glenohumeral joint]] of the [[shoulder]], where the rounded head of the [[humerus]] (ball) rests in the cup-like [[glenoid cavity|glenoid fossa]] (socket) of the [[scapula|shoulder blade]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://anatomy.med.umich.edu/modules/joints_module/joints_20.html|title=Synovial Joints - Ball and Socket Joints|work=[[University of Michigan]]|access-date=10 March 2011|archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/5x4LpppAm?url=http://anatomy.med.umich.edu/modules/joints_module/joints_20.html|archive-date=10 March 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> ==Other images== <gallery> Image:Kugelgelenk.jpg|Hip Image:Gray327.png|Shoulder </gallery> ==References== {{reflist}} [[Category:Joints]]