Saddle joint
Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data
Citation:
Dixon A, Saddle joint. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 22 Mar 2025) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-42716
rID:
42716
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 Andrew Dixon had no recorded disclosures.
View Andrew Dixon's current disclosures
Revisions:
1 time, by
1 contributor -
see full revision history and disclosures
Systems:
Sections:
Synonyms:
- Sellar joint
- Saddle joints
- Sellar joints
- Articulation by reciprocal reception
- Double plane joints
- Double plane joint
Saddle joints are a type of synovial joint that allow articulation by reciprocal reception. Both bones have concave-convex articular surfaces which interlock like two saddles opposed to one another.
Movements
Saddle joints allow movement with two degrees of freedom much like condyloid joints. They allow flexion / extension, abduction / adduction and therefore also allow circumduction. Unlike ball and socket joints, saddle joints do not allow axial rotation.
- flexion / extension
- abduction / adduction
- cirumduction
Examples
- first carpometacarpal joint between the trapezium and the first metacarpal of the thumb
- sternoclavicular joint
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