What type of movement is primarily facilitated by a pivot joint?

A pivot joint primarily facilitates rotational movement. This type of joint allows for the turning of one bone around another, creating a rotational movement at the joint. A common example of a pivot joint is the atlas and axis in the neck, which enables the head to turn from side to side.

In contrast, flexion involves decreasing the angle between two body parts, extension increases that angle, and abduction refers to moving a body part away from the midline. These movements are not the primary functions of a pivot joint, which is specifically designed to enable rotation. Thus, the correct characterization of the movement facilitated by a pivot joint is rotation.