A ball-and-socket joint is a type of joint in the body that allows for a wide range of movement. It consists of a spherical end of one bone (the ball) fitting into a cup-like structure of another bone (the socket). This design enables rotational movement as well as bending and straightening, making it one of the most flexible joint types. The most well-known examples of ball-and-socket joints are found in the human body, specifically in the shoulder and hip joints. In the shoulder, the humerus fits into the glenoid cavity of the scapula, while in the hip, the femur fits into the acetabulum of the pelvis. These joints are crucial for activities that require extensive movement.