Types of Joints and Movement
Your body has three main types of joints that determine how (or if) you can move different parts of your skeleton. Fibrous joints connect bones with tough connective tissue and are completely immovable, like those in your skull or where your teeth connect to your jaw.
Cartilaginous joints offer limited movement because they're connected by cartilage. You can find these between your vertebrae, allowing your spine to bend slightly while maintaining stability. These joints provide just enough flexibility without sacrificing support.
Synovial joints are the most movable type, featuring a complete joint capsule filled with slippery synovial fluid that reduces friction between bones. These joints have articular cartilage covering bone surfaces and ligaments connecting the bones around the joint. Depending on their structure, synovial joints move in different planes: single axis (one plane), biaxial (two planes), or triaxial (all three planes).
Did you know? The synovial fluid in your joints has roughly the same consistency as egg white and works like natural WD-40 for your body, allowing smooth movement and preventing bone-on-bone friction!
