Movement of Saddle Joints
Saddle joint allow movement in the two planes, the sagittal and frontal planes. They allow flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, and circumduction, but the axial movement is not allowed. The movement associated with the saddle joints are discussed as follows:
- Flexion: The angle between the bones decreases at the saddle joint.
- Extension: The angle between the bones increases at the saddle joint.
- Abduction: A body part (like arm) moves away from the midline of the body.
- Adduction: A body part (like arm) moves towards the midline of the body.
- Circumduction: It involves circular movement of the joint, like flexion, extension, abduction, and adduction.
- Opposition: This type of movement only occurs in the thumb. The thumb moves toward the other fingers, allowing grasping and manipulation.
- Reposition: The thumb returns from opposition to its anatomical position.
The saddle joint provides wide range of movement that provides balance of stability and mobility which is essential for the fine motor skills and precise movements.
Saddle Joints
The saddle joint is a type of synovial joint that allows a wide range of movements. movement in two planes. Joints are characterized by the presence of two reciprocal concave and convex surfaces, that allow movement in two planes. These planes are flexion/extension and abduction/adduction. In the human body, the saddle joint can be found in the carpometacarpal joint of the thumb, the incudomalleolar joint of the middle ear, the sternoclavicular joint of the thorax, and the calcaneocuboid joint of the heel.
Table of Content
- What are Saddle Joints?
- Diagram of the Saddle Joints
- Movement of Saddle Joints
- Examples of Saddle Joints
- Features of Saddle Joints
- Location of Saddle Joints
- Functions of Saddle Joints