Which type of joint allows movement in all directions and rotation?

• A. Ball and socket
• B. Pivot
• C. Hinge
• D. Gliding

Answer: (A)

Movement in all directions plus rotation is possible at ball-and-socket joints. The spherical head of one bone sits in a cup-like socket of another bone, creating a loose fit that allows motion in three planes (forward/backward, side-to-side, and rotational) and around multiple axes. This is why the shoulder and hip can move widely and rotate. Other joints limit movement to a single plane or axis: pivot joints rotate around one axis, hinge joints move mainly in one plane (flexion/extension), and gliding joints allow only small sliding movements between flat surfaces. The ball-and-socket design provides the multiaxial freedom and rotation that the question describes.