Pivot joint
Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data
Citation:
Dixon A, Kang O, Pivot joint. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 19 Mar 2025) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-42732
rID:
42732
Article created:
Disclosures:
At the time the article was created Andrew Dixon had no recorded disclosures.
View Andrew Dixon's current disclosures
Last revised:
Disclosures:
At the time the article was last revised Henry Knipe had no recorded disclosures.
View Henry Knipe's current disclosures
Revisions:
2 times, by
2 contributors -
see full revision history and disclosures
Systems:
Sections:
Synonyms:
- Pivot joints
- Rotary joint
- Rotary joints
- Trochoid joint
- Trochoid joints
Pivot joints, also known as rotary joints, are a type of synovial joint that permit axial rotation. The moving bone rotates within a ring formed by the concave surface of a second bone and an adjoining ligament.
Movements
Pivot joints allow rotation around a single axis only and therefore mechanically speaking they possess only one degree of freedom.
- axial rotation
Examples
- median atlantoaxial joint between the dens of C2 and the anterior arch of C1
- proximal radioulnar joint at the elbow
- distal radioulnar joint at the wrist
The proximal and distal radioulnar joints pivot together such that the radius twists around the ulnar to allow pronation and supination of the forearm.
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