Joints

Joints are the connection points between your bones. Without joints, you could not bend, twist, or move. Different joints let your body move in different ways.

Types of Joints

Hinge joints work like a door hinge. Your knees and elbows are hinge joints. They let you bend back and forth. Ball-and-socket joints, like your shoulders and hips, let you move in circles.

Pivot joints let you turn. The joint at the top of your spine lets you turn your head from side to side. Gliding joints in your wrists let your bones slide over each other.

Keeping Joints Healthy

Moving your body every day keeps your joints working well. Stretching helps them stay flexible. Drinking enough water helps keep the fluid in your joints slippery.

If a joint hurts, rest it and tell an adult. Some joint injuries need a doctor to look at them.

Fun Facts

• Your body has over 300 joints.
• The knee is the largest joint in the human body.
• Cracking your knuckles is just gas bubbles popping in the fluid around your joints.

Did You Know?

Babies have more joints than adults because some of their bones have not fused together yet!