Saddle Joint - Saddle Anatomy - Innerbody

Skip to main contentFitness & DietFor Your WorkoutMuscle-building stacksBCAAs for womenL-Citrulline supplementsBest testosterone boosterNitric oxide supplementsAmino acid supplementsWeight LossHenry MedsFoundDoFastingWegovy vs. MounjaroView all >Hair & SkinHair GrowthHair loss treatments for menLaser caps for hair lossKeepsNutrafolTopical finasteride guideKeeps vs. HimsFace & BodyMen's anti-aging creamsLatisse guideBrightening creamsIPL devicesLumiView all >Mental HealthTherapyGuide to online therapyBetterhelpTherapy terminology guidePreparing for your first sessionBetterhelp vs. TalkspaceSupplementsAshwagandha supplementsNootropicsCBD for sleepSaffron supplementsAmanita Muscaria gummiesView all >WellnessOnline PharmaciesHimsHersRomanWispWinonaLongevityNMN supplementsBerberine supplementsCoQ10 supplementsNAD supplementsCBD for arthritisIntimacySexual healthED treatmentsBlueChewDelay spraysPE wipesHims EDPhoenix ED deviceTestingMicrobiome testingAt-home STD testsFood sensitivity testsDNA health testingViomeView all >ResearchAnatomy ExplorerSkeletal systemMuscular systemCardiovascular systemDigestive systemNervous systemRespiratory systemUrinary systemIntegumentary systemAll Anatomy Systems >ResearchThe Most Sleep-Deprived U.S. CitiesWhich State Has the Most Stressful Work Environment?Analysis of Geographic ED TrendsMetro Areas with the Highest STI RatesHealthcare Disparities in the U.S.How Much Do Men Know About Testosterone?Diabetes Statistics in the United StatesView All Research >ShopInnerbody LabsInnerbody Labs HomeTestosterone SupportFocus SupportSleep SupportNAD+ SupportShop all >Fitness & Diet

For Your Workout

Muscle-building stacks

BCAAs for women

L-Citrulline supplements

Best testosterone booster

Nitric oxide supplements

Amino acid supplements

Weight Loss

Henry Meds

Found

DoFasting

Wegovy vs. Mounjaro

View all

Hair & Skin

Hair Growth

Hair loss treatments for men

Laser caps for hair loss

Keeps

Nutrafol

Topical finasteride guide

Keeps vs. Hims

Face & Body

Men's anti-aging creams

Latisse guide

Brightening creams

IPL devices

Lumi

View all

Mental Health

Therapy

Guide to online therapy

Betterhelp

Therapy terminology guide

Preparing for your first session

Betterhelp vs. Talkspace

Supplements

Ashwagandha supplements

Nootropics

CBD for sleep

Saffron supplements

Amanita Muscaria gummies

View all

Wellness

Online Pharmacies

Hims

Hers

Roman

Wisp

Winona

Longevity

NMN supplements

Berberine supplements

CoQ10 supplements

NAD supplements

CBD for arthritis

Intimacy

Sexual health

ED treatments

BlueChew

Delay sprays

PE wipes

Hims ED

Phoenix ED device

Testing

Microbiome testing

At-home STD tests

Food sensitivity tests

DNA health testing

Viome

View all

Research

Anatomy Explorer

Skeletal system

Muscular system

Cardiovascular system

Digestive system

Nervous system

Respiratory system

Urinary system

Integumentary system

All Anatomy Systems

Research

The Most Sleep-Deprived U.S. Cities

Which State Has the Most Stressful Work Environment?

Analysis of Geographic ED Trends

Metro Areas with the Highest STI Rates

Healthcare Disparities in the U.S.

How Much Do Men Know About Testosterone?

Diabetes Statistics in the United States

View All Research

Shop

Innerbody Labs

Innerbody Labs Home

Testosterone Support

Focus Support

Sleep Support

NAD+ Support

Shop all

Saddle Joints: Opposable Movement & Thumb Anatomy

Explore the saddle joint's anatomy & function, featuring the carpometacarpal thumb joint for gripping & tool use. Enhance your knowledge with Innerbody's educational guide.

by Tim TaylorWritten byTim TaylorAnatomy & Physiology Senior Writer

Tim Taylor is a senior writer at Innerbody Research focusing on human anatomy and physiology. Tim earned both his Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and his Master's degree in Teaching from the University of Pittsburgh.

Read moreLast updated: Dec 22nd, 2025

INNERBODY NEWSLETTER

Ready for the ultimate sleep upgrade?

Your privacy is important to us

Click to View Larger Image

A saddle joint is a synovial joint where one of the bones forming the joint is shaped like a saddle with the other bone resting on it like a rider on a horse. Saddle joints provide stability to the bones while providing more flexibility than a hinge or gliding joint. The bone sitting on the saddle can move in an oval shape relative to the other bone, similar to a condyloid joint.

The best example of a saddle joint in the body is the carpometacarpal joint of the thumb that is formed between the trapezium bone and the first metacarpal. In this example, the trapezium forms a rounded saddle onto which the first metacarpal sits. The carpometacarpal joint of the thumb makes the human thumb opposable by allowing it to move across the palm to contact the other four fingers of the hand. The opposable thumb is, of course, an extremely important human trait that allows our hand to firmly grip objects and make use of tools.

Get the Innerbody Newsletter

Be the first to know about our latest reviews and biggest discounts

No spam! Your privacy is important to us.

Fitness & DietHair & SkinMental HealthWellnessResearchHuman BodyAbout UsEditorial PolicyAd PolicyPrivacy PolicyTerms of UseDo Not Sell My Info

Copyright © Innerbody Research 1997 - 2025. All Rights Reserved.

Innerbody Research does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. You must consult your own medical professional.