What type of joint primarily allows for rotation of movement?

The pivot joint is specifically designed to allow a significant degree of rotational movement. In this type of joint, one bone rotates around a fixed point of another bone. An example of a pivot joint is the atlantoaxial joint in the neck, where the first and second cervical vertebrae allow for the rotation of the head. This characteristic sets the pivot joint apart from other types of joints.

While ball-and-socket joints also allow rotation along with a wide range of other movements, their primary function includes flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, and circumduction, in addition to rotation. Fixed joints, on the other hand, do not allow for movement at all, and hinge joints primarily facilitate movements in one direction, similar to a door hinge. Understanding these distinctions highlights the specialized role of pivot joints in enabling rotational movements.