Enarthrosis (Noun)
Meaning
A freely moving joint in which a sphere on the head of one bone fits into a rounded cavity in the other bone.
Classification
Nouns denoting body parts.
Examples
- The ball-and-socket joint is an example of an enarthrosis that allows for multidirectional movement, typically found in the hip and shoulder.
- The enarthrosis found in the human shoulder enables a broader range of motion, thanks to the wide cavity in the scapula to accommodate the head of the humerus.
- A dislocated enarthrosis can lead to severe pain and limited mobility, making early treatment essential for successful recovery.
- Enarthrosis offers the greatest freedom of movement among all types of joints, as it allows flexion, extension, abduction, and rotation.
- In humans, only two joints qualify as enarthroses: the shoulder joint and the hip joint, both characterized by a spherical head in one bone that moves within a cup-like depression in the adjacent bone.