Synovial joints are classified as:

• A. Freely moveable
• B. Slightly moveable
• C. Little to no movement
• D. Immovable

Answer: (A)

Synovial joints are designed for a wide range of motion. They have a joint cavity filled with synovial fluid, articular cartilage on the bone ends, a fibrous capsule, and reinforcing ligaments, all of which minimize friction and allow movement in multiple directions. Because of this setup, they are classified as freely moveable joints (diarthroses). Think of the shoulder, hip, elbow, and knee—these joints enable flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, rotation, and more. Joints that are fibrous or cartilaginous outside the synovial classification—like skull sutures or the joints between vertebrae—t have limited or no movement, which is why they’re not described as freely moveable.