Which type of joint allows for the greatest range of motion?

The ball-and-socket joint is designed to provide a wide range of movement in multiple directions. This type of joint features a spherical head of one bone fitting into a rounded cavity of another bone, allowing for rotational motion as well as movements in various planes. Examples of ball-and-socket joints in the human body include the shoulder and hip joints. These joints are capable of flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, and internal and external rotation, contributing to their extensive mobility.

In contrast, hinge joints allow movement predominantly in one plane, like flexion and extension (such as the elbow), and have a much more limited range of motion. Pivot joints permit rotation around a single axis (like the joint between the first and second cervical vertebrae), while gliding joints facilitate sliding movements between flat surfaces but lack the range of motion offered by a ball-and-socket configuration. Therefore, the structure and design of the ball-and-socket joint clearly enable it to achieve the greatest range of motion among the joint types listed.