1.1.5
Joints 2
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Ball and Socket Joints
Ball and socket joints are an important type of freely movable joint. A ball and socket joint looks exactly like a ball fitting into a cup. It can move freely in all directions. This type of joint is located in the shoulder and the hip:

Shoulder
- The ball and socket joint here is made up of the humerus (bone in the upper arm), scapula (shoulder blade) and clavicle (collarbone).
- Lets a person move their arm in all directions.
- Can be used to perform a serve in tennis.

Hip
- The ball and socket joint here are made up of the femur (thigh bone) and pelvis.
- Lets a person move their leg in all directions.
- Can be used to perform a lay-up in basketball.
Joint Movements
Joints can move in several different ways.

Flexion
- This is a movement where the angle of the joint decreases.
- Flexion of the elbow = bending the elbow.
- Flexion of the knee = bending the knee.
- Flexion of the hip = raising your knee out in front of you.
- Flexion of the shoulder = raising your arm out in front of you.

Extension
- This is a movement where the angle of the joint increases.
- Extension of the elbow = straightening the elbow.
- Extension of the knee = straightening the knee.
- Extension of the hip = pushing your heel back behind you.
- Extension of the shoulder = pushing your arm back behind you.

Abduction
- This is the movement of a limb away from the midline of the body.
- Abduction of the shoulder = raising your arm out to the side.
- Abduction of the hip = raising your leg out to the side.
- Abduction = take away.

Adduction
- This is the movement of a limb towards the midline of the body.
- Adduction of the shoulder = bringing your arm down to your side.
- Adduction of the hip = bringing your leg down towards your opposing leg.

Rotation
- This is turning a limb around its axis.
- Rotation of the shoulder = forming a circular motion with the arm (as you would when performing a serve in tennis).
- Rotation in the case of a ball and socket joint is known as circumduction.

Plantar flexion
- Movement in the ankle that causes the toes to point towards the ground.
- Plantar flexion = pointed toe.

Dorsiflexion
- Movement in the ankle that causes the toes to point upwards.
1Applied Anatomy & Physiology
1.1The Musculoskeletal System
1.2The Cardio-Respiratory System
1.2.1Pathway of Air1.2.2Blood Vessels1.2.3Blood Vessels 21.2.4Structure of the Heart1.2.5Cardiac Cycle1.2.6Measures of Heart Performance1.2.7The Mechanics of Breathing1.2.8The Mechanics of Breathing 21.2.9The Lungs1.2.10End of Topic Test - The Cardio-Respiratory System1.2.11Exam-Style Questions - Cardio-Respiratory System1.2.12Diagnostic Misconceptions - Pathway of Blood1.2.13Diagnostic Misconceptions - Cardiac Output
1.3Anaerobic & Aerobic Exercise
1.4Short-Term Effects of Exercise
2Movement Analysis
2.1Lever Systems
3Physical Training
3.1Health & Fitness
3.2The Components of Fitness
3.2.1The Components of Fitness3.2.2Sports & Fitness3.2.3Fitness Testing3.2.4Measuring Agility & Balance3.2.5Measuring Cardiovascular & Coordination3.2.6Measuring Endurance & Power3.2.7Measuring Reaction Time & Strength3.2.8Measuring Strength, Speed & Flexibility3.2.9End of Topic Test - The Components of Fitness3.2.10Exam-Style Questions - Fitness Tests
4The Principles of Training
4.1Principles of Training
5Using Data
5.1Types of Data
5.2Data Presentation & Analysis
6Sports Psychology
6.2Feedback & Preparation
7Socio-cultural Influences
7.1Engagement Patterns of Different Social Groups
7.2Commercialisation
7.3Ethical & Socio-cultural Issues
7.3.1Impact of Technology on Performers7.3.2Impact of Technology on Performers 27.3.3Impact of Technology on Sport7.3.4Impact of Technology on Sport 27.3.5Sporting Conduct & Banned Substances7.3.6Blood Doping7.3.7Drug Restrictions7.3.8Drug Restrictions 27.3.9Spectator Behaviour7.3.10End of Topic Test - Ethical Issues7.3.11Exam-Style Questions - Performance Enhancing Drugs7.3.12Diagnostic Misconceptions - Conduct in Sport
8Health & Fitness
8.1Overview of Health
8.2Sedentary Lifestyles
Jump to other topics
1Applied Anatomy & Physiology
1.1The Musculoskeletal System
1.2The Cardio-Respiratory System
1.2.1Pathway of Air1.2.2Blood Vessels1.2.3Blood Vessels 21.2.4Structure of the Heart1.2.5Cardiac Cycle1.2.6Measures of Heart Performance1.2.7The Mechanics of Breathing1.2.8The Mechanics of Breathing 21.2.9The Lungs1.2.10End of Topic Test - The Cardio-Respiratory System1.2.11Exam-Style Questions - Cardio-Respiratory System1.2.12Diagnostic Misconceptions - Pathway of Blood1.2.13Diagnostic Misconceptions - Cardiac Output
1.3Anaerobic & Aerobic Exercise
1.4Short-Term Effects of Exercise
2Movement Analysis
2.1Lever Systems
3Physical Training
3.1Health & Fitness
3.2The Components of Fitness
3.2.1The Components of Fitness3.2.2Sports & Fitness3.2.3Fitness Testing3.2.4Measuring Agility & Balance3.2.5Measuring Cardiovascular & Coordination3.2.6Measuring Endurance & Power3.2.7Measuring Reaction Time & Strength3.2.8Measuring Strength, Speed & Flexibility3.2.9End of Topic Test - The Components of Fitness3.2.10Exam-Style Questions - Fitness Tests
4The Principles of Training
4.1Principles of Training
5Using Data
5.1Types of Data
5.2Data Presentation & Analysis
6Sports Psychology
6.2Feedback & Preparation
7Socio-cultural Influences
7.1Engagement Patterns of Different Social Groups
7.2Commercialisation
7.3Ethical & Socio-cultural Issues
7.3.1Impact of Technology on Performers7.3.2Impact of Technology on Performers 27.3.3Impact of Technology on Sport7.3.4Impact of Technology on Sport 27.3.5Sporting Conduct & Banned Substances7.3.6Blood Doping7.3.7Drug Restrictions7.3.8Drug Restrictions 27.3.9Spectator Behaviour7.3.10End of Topic Test - Ethical Issues7.3.11Exam-Style Questions - Performance Enhancing Drugs7.3.12Diagnostic Misconceptions - Conduct in Sport
8Health & Fitness
8.1Overview of Health
8.2Sedentary Lifestyles
Practice questions on Joints 2
Can you answer these? Test yourself with free interactive practice on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.
- 1What type of joint are ball and socket joints?Multiple choice
- 2What bones make up the ball and socket joint in the hip?Fill in the list
- 3The different types of joint movementFill in the list
- 4
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