| Joint | Description | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| annular ligament | syndesmosis | surrounds radial head, holding it against ulna |
| carpometacarpal joint, thumb | synovial, saddle (concavoconvex) | connects trapezium with metacarpal of thumb; flexion/extension, abduction/adduction |
| carpometacarpal joints, fingers | synovial, plane | connects distal carpal bones with metacarpals of fingers; tightly bound by ligaments to limit motion |
| coracoacromial ligament | syndesmosis | connects coracoid process with acromion; passes superior to humeral head & supraspinatus tendon |
| coracoclavicular ligament | syndesmosis | connects upper surface of coracoid process to under surface of clavicle; often subdivided into conoid (posteromedial) & trapezoid ligaments |
| elbow joint | synovial; hinge (gingylmus), gliding and pivot | complex joint consisting of humeroulnar, humeroradial and proximal radioulnar articulations; strengthened primarily by radial & ulnar collateral ligaments |
| glenohumeral ligament, inferior | capsular ligament | connects humerus to scapula; represents an anteroinferior thickening of the shoulder joint capsule; weak support for joint |
| glenohumeral ligament, middle | capsular ligament | connects humerus to scapula; represents an anterointermediate thickening of the shoulder joint capsule; weak support for joint |
| glenohumeral ligament, superior | capsular ligament | connects humerus to scapula; represents an anterosuperior thickening of the shoulder joint capsule; weak support for joint |
| intercarpal ligaments, dorsal | capsular ligaments | connects dorsal surfaces of adjacent carpal bones, running primarily transversely |
| intercarpal ligaments, palmar | capsular ligaments | |
| interosseous membrane | syndesmosis | connects shafts/diaphyses of radius & ulna |
| interphalangeal joints | synovial, hinge | connect proximal & middle phalanges (proximal interphalangeal joint) and middle & distal phalanges (distal interphalangeal joint); strengthened by collateral ligaments |
| metacarpophalangeal joints | synovial, condyloid or ellipsoid | connects metacarpal head to base of proximal phalanx; strengthened by collateral ligaments; heads of metacarpals are firmly joined by transverse metcarpal ligaments to provide a stable platform for finger movements |
| midcarpal joint | synovial, gliding | connects proximal & distal rows of carpal bones |
| oblique cord | syndesmosis | connects radial shaft to ulnar shaft; passes obliquely lateral & distal from lateral surface of ulna to attach to radius medially near radial tuberosity |
| radial collateral ligament, elbow | capsular ligament | connects lateral epicondyle of humerus with radius |
| radial collateral ligament, wrist | capsular ligament | connects styloid process of radius with scaphoid & trapezium |
| radiocarpal (wrist) joint | synovial, ellipsoidal | characterized by an intracapsular articular disk; radius articulates with the proximal row of carpals |
| radioulnar joint, proximal | synovial, pivot | connects radial head with ulna; annular ligament holds radial head against radial notch of ulna |
| radioulnar joint, intermediate | syndesmosis | interosseous membrane connects radius to ulna; forces transferred from radius to ulna |
| radioulnar joint, distal | synovial, pivot | characterized by an intracapsular articular disk |
| shoulder joint | synovial, ball & socket | connects humerus & scapula; glenoid labrum deepens the socket, glenohumeral ligaments located anteriorly; tendon of long head of biceps passes through shoulder joint, strengthened by the rotator cuff muscles |
| sternoclavicular ligament | capsular ligament | connects clavicle with sternum; described as separate anterior & posterior ligaments |
| sternoclavicular joint | synovial | connects clavicle with sternum; is subdivided by fibrous articular disc, strengthened by sternoclavicular & interclavicular ligaments, very strong - clavicle fractures before this joint disarticulates |
| sternoclavicular ligament | capsular ligament | connects clavicle with sternum; described as separate anterior & posterior ligaments |
| transverse metacarpal ligaments, deep | syndesmosis | connects metacarpophalangeal joints 2-5 together on their palmar surface |
| transverse scapular ligament, superior | syndesmosis | passes across scapular notch, converting it into a foramen containing suprascapular nerve |
| ulnar collateral ligament, elbow | capsular ligament | connects medial epicondyle of humerus with ulna |
| ulnar collateral ligament, wrist | capsular ligament | connects styloid process of ulna to pisiform & triquetrum |
| wrist joint | synovial, gliding, hinge | connects distal radius with proximal row of carpal bones |