NCFE Health and Fitness V Cert Practice Exam 2026 – Prep Guide & Practice Questions

A gliding joint, also known as a plane joint, allows for smooth movements in multiple directions but with limited rotation. The correct example of a gliding joint from the choices given is the clavicle.

The clavicle connects to the sternum at one end and the acromion of the scapula at the other, enabling a gliding motion. This motion is crucial for the shoulder's range of movement, allowing the arm to move freely and effectively.

In contrast, the ankle is primarily a hinge joint, facilitating dorsiflexion and plantarflexion. The wrist can have gliding movements through its carpals, but it is classified more accurately as a complex joint involving several types of movements and structures. The vertebrae, while they do have joints that allow for some gliding movements between them, are not defined specifically as gliding joints in a traditional sense. Thus, the clavicle stands out clearly as the best example of a gliding joint.