A ball-and-socket joint allows which type of movement?

• A. Limited movement
• B. Rotational and multi-directional movement
• C. No movement
• D. Gliding movement

Answer: (B)

Ball-and-socket joints have a spherical head that fits into a cup-like socket, which lets the limb move in many directions and rotate. This structure provides a wide range of motion, including bending and straightening, moving away from and toward the midline, rotating inward and outward, and even combining these movements in a circular path (circumduction). That broad, rotational, multi-directional capability is why this type of joint is described as allowing rotational and multi-directional movement. Other joints either restrict movement to a single plane (like bending and straightening in hinge joints), are immobile, or allow only sliding movements (gliding joints) without the broad rotational range.