Pivot joint Pivot joint In animal anatomy, a pivot joint (trochoid joint, rotary joint, lateral ginglymus) is a type of synovial joint. In pivot joints, the axis of a convex articular surface is parallel with the longitudinal axis of the bone. According to one classification system, a pivot joint like the other synovial joint —the hinge joint has one degree of freedom. Note that the degrees of freedom of a joint is not the same as the same as joint's range of motion. Pivot joints allow for rotation, which can be external (for example when rotating an arm outward), or internal (as
Hinge teeth teeth in a bivalve shell is often essential for identification and classification. A formal terminology is used to describe the different types of dentition. The hinge teeth, or the lack thereof, is an important feature in identifying bivalves because the teeth are generally similar within the major taxonomic groups. Historically the hinge teeth have provided a convenient means by which to construct classification schemes and attempt to indicate the phylogenetic relationships within the class Bivalvia. There are formal names for the various types of hinge tooth arrangements or "dentition". The "taxodont" hinge shows either one or two rows of similar