Glossary Term
Gliding Joint
A gliding joint, also known as a plane joint or arthrodial joint, is a type of synovial joint that permits only gliding movement within the plane of the joint surfaces. The flat or nearly flat surfaces of the bones involved in a plane joint move back and forth against each other, with movement being restricted by the surrounding ligaments and joint capsules. Gliding joints are plentiful in number, are typically small in size, and allow only a limited range of motion. Synonyms include arthrodial joint, plane joint, and plane articulation.
Gliding Joint: A gliding joint (also called an arthrodial joint, plane joint, or plane articulation) is a synovial joint that allows only gliding movement in the plane of the articular surfaces. The opposed surfaces of the bones are flat or almost flat, with movement generally limited by tight capsules and ligaments. Gliding joints are numerous, are most often small, and allow very little motion. Examples include the carpal joints of the wrist, the tarsal joints of the ankle, and the facet joints of the spine.
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Synonyms
- Arthrodial joint
- Arthrodial
- Gliding
- Plane joint
- Plane articulation