Hinge joints are a type of synovial joint that permit movement in one direction like the hinge on a door. Usually this is achieved by a concave surface articulating with a corresponding convex surface.
Movements
Hinge joints allow for movement in a single translational plane only. This one degree of freedom is typically in the flexion / extension direction in the human body.
- flexion / extension
Typical examples
- interphalangeal joints of the hand and foot
- elbow joint between the humerus and ulnar
Modified examples
These joints primarily allow for hinge type movement but are modified to allow for some limited motion in other directions.
- knee joint: also allows slight rotation
- ankle joint: also allows abduction / adduction known as eversion / inversion