Question

Movement allowed in a pivot joint is known as ___.

Answer 1

Pivot joint it is also known as trochoid joint. It is an example of synovial joints which are the most evolved and freely movable joints. The articular surface of one bone is grounded and fits into the concavity of another bone. Further, the rounded part is surrounded by ligamentous ring ie the rod surrounded by a ring. The movement permitted by a pivot joint is called ROTATION.

diagrammatic representation of pivot joint

The movement in a pivot joint has limited rotation around a central axis ie whether the rod rotates in a osteo ligamentous ring (eg superior radio-ulnar joint) or osseo-ligamentous ring rotates around the rod such as median atlantoaxial joint. The superior radioulnar joint permits rotation of forearm (Pronation, supination) and median atlantoaxial joint allows the rotational movements of head.