What type of joint is the glenohumeral joint?

The glenohumeral joint, commonly known as the shoulder joint, is classified as a ball-and-socket joint. This type of joint allows for a wide range of motion, including flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, and rotation. The structure of a ball-and-socket joint involves a spherical head of one bone fitting into a concave socket of another bone, which in this case consists of the humeral head and the glenoid cavity of the scapula.

The design of the glenohumeral joint enables significant mobility, making it one of the most flexible joints in the human body. This increased range of motion is crucial for various activities that involve the upper extremities, like reaching, throwing, and lifting. However, this flexibility also contributes to a greater susceptibility to dislocation and other injuries in the shoulder region.

In contrast, the other joint types presented, such as hinge, pivot, and fibrous joints, have more restricted movements tailored for specific functions, emphasizing the unique characteristics and capabilities of the glenohumeral joint within the biomechanics of the upper body.