The main difference between condyloid and saddle joint is that the condyloid joint allows angular moments with a lesser range of motion, whereas the saddle joint allows angular moments with a greater range of motion.
Condyloid and saddle joint are two synovial joint types in the human body. The movement permitted by the joint depends on the shape and structure of the joint. The other four types of synovial joints include pivot, hinge, planer, and ball-and-socket joint.
Key Areas Covered
1. What is Condyloid Joint
– Definition, Structure, Function
2. What is Saddle Joint
– Definition, Structure, Function
3. Similarities Between Condyloid and Saddle Joint
– Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between Condyloid and Saddle Joint
– Comparison of Key Differences
Key Terms
Condyloid Joint, Saddle Joint
What is Condyloid Joint
The condyloid joint is a joint that contains an oval-shaped end of a bone that fits into a similarly oval-shaped hollow of another bone. Other names for the condyloid joint include ellipsoidal, condylar, and bicondylar joints. Also, this type of joint occurs in the wrist and fingers allowing the angular moment along two axes. Therefore, the joint’s bones can move both side to side and up and down. Typically, it allows the movement in two planes allowing abduction, extension, adduction, flexion, and circumduction. Examples of condyloid joints include the wrist, metacarpophalangeal, metatarsophalangeal, and atlanto-occipital joints.
Figure 1: Metacarpophalangeal Joint
Furthermore, the condyloid joints are ellipsoid joints. In the condyloid joint, the oval-shaped condyle of one bone fits into the elliptical cavity of the other bone, allowing biaxial moments that are backward and forward and from side to side. But condyloid joints do not allow axial rotation. The radiocarpal joint is another example of the condyloid joint.
What is Saddle Joint
A saddle joint is a joint that contains bones that resemble saddles; it contains concave and convex portions that fit together. It allows angular moments similar to condyloid joints but in a greater range. The thumb joint is an example of a saddle joint that can move forth and back, up and down, and more freely than the wrist joint. Other names for the saddle joint include the sellar joint and articulation by reciprocal reception. It also occurs in the thorax, middle ear, and the heel. Significantly, in the saddle joint, one surface is concave while the other is convex. It creates significant stability in the joint.
Figure 2: Types of Synovial Joints
Moreover, like the condyloid joint, the saddle joint allows abduction, extension, adduction, flexion, and circumduction. However, it also does not allow axial rotation. It is a biaxial joint, and it allows movement in the sagittal and frontal planes.
Similarities Between Condyloid and Saddle Joint
- Condyloid and saddle joints are two types of synovial joints.
- Synovial fluid occurs inside the cavity of the synovial joint.
- The synovial fluid reduces the friction between the articulate cartilage during movement.
- They do not allow axial rotation.
- They allow abduction, extension, adduction, flexion, and circumduction.
Difference Between Condyloid and Saddle Joint
Definition
The condyloid joint refers to the joints composed of an egg-shaped bone known as a condyle that fits into a similarly shaped cavity. In contrast, the saddle joint refers to a joint (as the carpometacarpal joint of the thumb) with saddle-shaped articular surfaces that are convex in one direction and concave in another and that permit movement in all directions except axial rotation.
Type of Bones
The condyloid joint occurs between the radius and carpal bones of the wrist, while the saddle joint occurs between the trapezium carpal bone and 1st metacarpal bone.
Importance
The condyloid joint allows angular moments with a lesser range of motion, while the saddle joint allows angular moments with a greater range of motion.
Examples
Examples of condyloid joints include the wrist joint, metacarpophalangeal joints, metatarsophalangeal joints, and atlantooccipital joints, while examples of saddle joints include the carpometacarpal joint of the thumb, the incudomalleolar joint of the middle ear, the sternoclavicular joint of the thorax, and the calcaneocuboid joint of the heel.
Conclusion
In brief, condyloid and saddle joints are two types of synovial joints that contain synovial fluid inside the joint. The condyloid joint composes of an egg-shaped condyloid bone fitting into a similarly shaped cavity. It occurs between the radius and the carpal bones of the wrist. It allows angular moments with a lesser range of motion. In comparison, the saddle joint contains saddle-shaped articular surfaces, convex in one direction and concave in another, permitting movements in all directions except axial rotation. It occurs between the trapezium carpal bone and 1st metacarpal bone. Importantly, the saddle joint allows angular moments with a greater range of motion. The main difference between condyloid and saddle joints is the range of the angular moment.
References:
- Learning, L. (n.d.). Biology for majors II Types of Synovial Joints. Lumen. https://courses.lumenlearning.com/wm-biology2/chapter/types-of-synovial-joints/
Image Courtesy:
- “Figure 38 03 08” By CNX OpenStax– Own work (CC-BY 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
- “909 Types of Synovial Joints” By OpenStax College – Own Work (CC-BY 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
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