| Pivot joint | |
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| 1: Ball and socket joint; 2: Condyloid joint (Ellipsoid); 3: Saddle joint; 4 Hinge joint; 5: Pivot joint; | |
| Latin | articulatio trochoidea |
| Gray's | subject #70 285 |
A Pivot joint (trochoid joint, rotary joint) is a joint that moves by rotating. For example, the joint that allows humans to rotate their heads on their necks is a pivot joint. They allow rotation.
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Biology
Pivot joints are found in humans in the neck, forearms, knees, and other parts of the skeletal system that are able to rotate.
A pivot joint in biology is composed of a bone and ligament ring rotating around another bone.
Mechanics
Pivot joints are used in mechanics for things such as windshield wipers. They are useful for machines that have to rotate in order to complete their job.
References
http://www.answers.com/pivot%20joint http://medical.merriam-webster.com/medical/pivot%20joint http://www.freepatentsonline.com/EP0592246.html http://www.teachpe.com/anatomy/joints.php http://www.preventdisease.com/fitness/fundament/articles/types_of_joints.html
External links
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This article was originally based on an entry from a public domain edition of Gray's Anatomy. As such, some of the information contained within it may be outdated.
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