Veterinary Technician Practice Exam

What type of joint allows for the greatest range of motion in the body?

1. Fibrous joint

2. Cartilaginous joint

3. Ball-and-socket joint

4. Hinge joint

The correct answer is: Ball-and-socket joint

The ball-and-socket joint is known for providing the greatest range of motion within the body. This type of synovial joint allows for rotational movement and movements in multiple planes, including flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, and circumduction. The structure consists of a spherical head of one bone fitting into a cup-like cavity of another bone, which facilitates this wide range of motion. In contrast, fibrous joints offer little to no movement and are connected by dense connective tissue, making them rigid. Cartilaginous joints permit slight movement and are united by cartilage, but they do not allow the extensive movement seen in ball-and-socket joints. Hinge joints, such as the elbows and knees, are limited to bending and straightening motions in one plane, thus offering a smaller range of motion compared to ball-and-socket joints.