Question

Which of the following is a/are ball-and-socket joint/s in the human body?
A. Shoulder joint
B. Hip joint
C. Knee joint
D. Both A and B

Answer 1

Hint: A joint or articulation (or articular surface) is the connection made between bones in the body which link the skeletal system into a functional whole. They are constructed to allow for different degrees and types of movement.

Complete answer:-
There are mainly four types of mobile joints – ball and socket joint, hinge joint, pivot joint and ellipsoidal joint.
The ball and socket joint also called the spheroidal joint is a joint in which the ball-like rounded surface of a bone moves within a cup-like depression on another bone, this allows greater freedom of movement (full circle) than any other kind of joint. Ball-and-socket joints, such as the shoulder and hip joints, allow backward, forward, sideways, and rotating movements.
A hinge joint is a common class of synovial joint formed between two or more bones where the bones can only move along one axis to flex or extend. Hinge joints, such as in the fingers, knees, elbows, and toes, allow only bending and straightening movements.
Pivot joint is a synovial joint in which the ends of two bones connect. In this joint, a cylinder-shaped bone rotates inside another ligament that forms a ring around the joint. The joint between the atlas and the axis which is right under the skull, allows the turning of the head from side to side.
A condyloid joint (also called condylar, ellipsoidal, or bicondylar) is an ovoid articular surface, or condyle that is received into an elliptical cavity. This permits movement in two planes, allowing flexion, extension, adduction, abduction, and circumduction.

Thus, the correct answer is option D i.e., both A and B.

Note:-
Maximum rotation in the hinge joint is up to 180 degrees while in the ball and socket joint is 360 degrees. Pivot joints, such as the neck joints, allow limited rotating movements. Ellipsoidal joints, such as the wrist joint, allow all types of movements except pivotal movements.