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This lesson covers the two types of freely movable (synovial) joints required by the OCR GCSE PE specification (J587): hinge joints and ball-and-socket joints. You need to know the structure of each type, where they are found in the body, the movements they allow, and how they are used in sport.
The OCR specification requires you to know two types of synovial joint:
| Joint Type | Examples | Movements Allowed |
|---|---|---|
| Hinge | Knee, elbow | Flexion and extension |
| Ball and socket | Shoulder, hip | Flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, rotation, circumduction |
graph TD
A["Types of Freely Movable Joints"] --> B["Hinge Joint"]
A --> C["Ball and Socket Joint"]
B --> D["Knee"]
B --> E["Elbow"]
C --> F["Shoulder"]
C --> G["Hip"]
style A fill:#4a90d9,color:#fff
style B fill:#e67e22,color:#fff
style C fill:#27ae60,color:#fff
A hinge joint works like the hinge on a door — it allows movement in one plane only (the sagittal plane), producing flexion (bending) and extension (straightening).
The knee is the largest hinge joint in the body. It is formed where the femur (thigh bone) meets the tibia (shinbone). The patella (kneecap) sits at the front to protect the joint.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Bones involved | Femur, tibia (patella at the front) |
| Movements | Flexion and extension |
| Key muscles | Quadriceps (extension), hamstrings (flexion) |
| Sporting examples | Kicking a football (extension), bending the knee during a squat (flexion) |
The knee also contains two important structures not found in all hinge joints:
The elbow is a hinge joint formed where the humerus (upper arm) meets the ulna and radius (forearm bones).
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Bones involved | Humerus, ulna, radius |
| Movements | Flexion and extension |
| Key muscles | Biceps (flexion), triceps (extension) |
| Sporting examples | A press-up (extension), a bicep curl (flexion), shooting in basketball (extension) |
Exam Tip: Hinge joints only allow flexion and extension. If an exam question asks about movements at the knee or elbow, do not include rotation, abduction, or adduction — these movements are not possible at a hinge joint.
A ball-and-socket joint allows the greatest range of movement of any joint type. The rounded head (ball) of one bone fits into the cup-shaped socket of another bone, allowing movement in all directions.
The shoulder is the most mobile joint in the body. It is formed where the humerus (upper arm) meets the scapula (shoulder blade). The head of the humerus sits in the glenoid cavity (a shallow socket on the scapula).
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