synovial joint

A freely movable joint in which contiguous bony surfaces are covered by articular cartilage and connected by ligaments lined with synovial membrane. Also called diarthrosis.

A joint in which the articulating bones are separated by a fluid-containing joint cavity, which permits substantial movement. The ends of the bone are covered with articular cartilage. The bones are interconnected by ligaments lined with synovial membrane. Synovial joints can be classified according to the number of axes of rotation they permit and the type of movement they allow (see ball-and-socket joint, condyloid joint, gliding joint, hinge joint, pivot joint, saddle joint). Synovial joints that allow one, two, and three axes of rotation are called uniaxial, biaxial, and triaxial joints, respectively. Synovial joints that permit only limited movement are called non-axial joints.

See movable joint (sense ).