What are Condyloid Joints?

Explanation: Condyloid joints, also known as ellipsoidal joints, are a specific type of synovial joint. At a condyloid joint, the shallow depression at the end of one bone receives a rounded structure formed by an adjacent bone or bones. These joints are found at the base of the fingers (metacarpophalangeal joints) and at the wrist (radiocarpal joint).

Functionally, condyloid joints are classified as biaxial joints because they allow for angular movement along two axes. This includes the bending and straightening of the fingers or the anterior-posterior movements of the hand, as well as a side-to-side movement.

Examples of condyloid joints include the knuckle joints of the hand between the distal end of a metacarpal bone and the proximal phalanx bone, and the radiocarpal joint of the wrist, between the distal end of the radius bone and the rounded carpal bones.