Corpus: Pivot joint

The swivel joint is a shape variant of a true joint. The swivel joint consists of a trunnion that rests in a short, channel-shaped socket. It is additionally stabilised by a tight, circular ligament.

Two forms of swivel joints can be distinguished from each other on the basis of their movement pattern:

• In the trunnion joint, the trunnion rotates as the joint head in the concave joint socket.
• In the wheel joint, the concave joint socket rotates around the fixed pin.

The swivel joint has one axis of movement or one degree of freedom and enables rotational movements:

• Internal and external rotation
• Pronation and supination

• Proximal radioulnar joint (articulatio radioulnaris proximalis)
• Distal radioulnar joint (articulatio radioulnaris distalis)