Final answer:
Ball-and-socket joints, like the hip and shoulder, allow for a wide range of movements and are characterized by a spherical end of one bone fitting into a depression of another bone. They are multiaxial and provide the body with flexibility and mobility, but their range of motion can be limited by the supporting ligaments and muscles.
Step-by-step explanation:
Ball-and-socket joints are a type of synovial joint in the human body that provides a wide range of movements. These joints are unique in their structure with a ball-like end of one bone fitting neatly into a cuplike socket of another bone, allowing for flexibility and mobility in many directions. Examples of this joint type include the hip and shoulder joints. The shoulder, also known as the glenohumeral joint, has the head of the humerus fitting into the glenoid cavity of the scapula, allowing for a very large range of motion due to minimal ligament support. Conversely, the hip joint is where the head of the femur articulates with the acetabulum of the hip bone, which, although still allowing significant movement, has a reduced range of motion due to strong ligament support for added stability during weight-bearing activities.