Ball and socket joint

Articulatio sphaeroidea

  • Latin synonym: Enarthrosis; Articulatio cotylica
  • Synonym: Spheroidal joint; Cotyloid joint
  • Related terms: Ball and socket joint; Spheroidal joint

Definition

IMAIOS

Enarthrosis (ball-and-socket joints).—Enarthrosis is a joint in which the distal bone is capable of motion around an indefinite number of axes, which have one common center. It is formed by the reception of a globular head into a cup-like cavity, hence the name "ball-and-socket." Examples of this form of articulation are found in the hip and shoulder.

References

This definition incorporates text from a public domain edition of Gray's Anatomy (20th U.S. edition of Gray's Anatomy of the Human Body, published in 1918 – from http://www.bartleby.com/107/).