Hinge joint

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Hinge joints are a type of synovial joint that permit movement in one direction like the hinge on a door. Usually this is achieved by a concave surface articulating with a corresponding convex surface.

Movements

Hinge joints allow for movement in a single translational plane only. This one degree of freedom is typically in the flexion / extension direction in the human body.

  • flexion / extension
Typical examples
Modified examples

These joints primarily allow for hinge type movement but are modified to allow for some limited motion in other directions.

  • knee joint: also allows slight rotation
  • ankle joint: also allows abduction / adduction known as eversion / inversion 
Anatomy: General