Saddle joint explained

Saddle Joint
Latin:articulatio sellaris

A saddle joint (sellar joint, articulation by reciprocal reception) is a type of synovial joint in which the opposing surfaces are reciprocally concave and convex. It is found in the thumb, the thorax, the middle ear, and the heel.

Structure

In a saddle joint, one bone surface is concave while another is convex. This creates significant stability.

Movements

The movements of saddle joints are similar to those of the condyloid joint and include flexion, extension, adduction, abduction, and circumduction. However, axial rotation is not allowed. Saddle joints are said to be biaxial,[1] allowing movement in the sagittal and frontal planes.

Examples of saddle joints in the human body include the carpometacarpal joint of the thumb,[2] [3] the sternoclavicular joint of the thorax,[4] the incudomalleolar joint of the middle ear,[5] and the calcaneocuboid joint of the heel.

Name

The term "saddle" arises because the concave-convex bone interaction is compared to a horse rider riding a horse, with both bone surfaces being saddle-shaped. The saddle joint is also known as the sellar joint.

External links

Notes and References

  1. ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY: Classification of Joints . Pressbooks . OpenStaxCollege . 3 June 2023 . March 6, 2013.
  2. Web site: Saddle joint - Definition, Movements, Examples and Diagrams . anatomy.co.uk. 11 January 2018 .
  3. Book: Keith L. Moore

    . Moore . KL . Keith L. Moore. Clinically Oriented Anatomy . 2018 . Wolters Kluwer . Philadelphia . 9781496347213 . 26 . 8.

  4. Book: Keith L. Moore

    . Moore . KL . Keith L. Moore. Clinically Oriented Anatomy . 2018 . Wolters Kluwer . Philadelphia . 9781496347213 . 264 . 8.

  5. Book: Standring . S . Gray's Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice . 2016 . Elsevier Health Sciences . 9780702068515 . 41 . Middle Ear.