Ball-and-socket joints are a type of joint in the human body that allow for a wide range of movement. They consist of a spherical end of one bone, known as the ball, fitting into a cup-like structure of another bone, called the socket. This design enables rotation and movement in multiple directions, making these joints highly flexible. The most well-known examples of ball-and-socket joints are the shoulder and hip joints. In the shoulder, the ball is the head of the humerus, while the socket is part of the scapula. In the hip, the ball is the head of the femur, and the socket is formed by the pelvis.