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Gliding Joints
Gliding joints have two flat surfaces that glide smoothly and easily
past one another. These joints allow only small movements. Gliding
joints are found in the neck and
spine, between pairs of vertebrae.
Other gliding joints are found in
the wrists and ankles.
Interesting Animal Joints
How do other animals’ joints compare
to human joints?
Horse
Horses have special tendons that
work with the carpal joints in their front
legs to prevent bending. This helps the
horse to stand, and even sleep standing
for hours.
Gibbon
In addition to having
opposable thumbs, gibbons also have
an opposable toe on each foot. This toe
works like the opposable thumb. It allows
the animal to hang onto branches with
its feet while it travels from tree to tree.
Goat
Goats and some other animals
that eat plants have unusual jaw joints.
These jaw joints allow a goat to move
their jaws sideways, up and down, and
front to back when chewing.
Gliding joints allow
your ankles to move.
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