Which synovial joint allows for circumduction?

Circumduction is a circular movement that involves a combination of flexion, extension, abduction, and adduction, resulting in a conical motion. The shoulder joint, being a ball-and-socket synovial joint, allows for a wide range of movements, including circumduction. This extensive range of motion is made possible by the unique structure of the shoulder, which consists of a rounded head of the humerus fitting into the shallow glenoid cavity of the scapula.

In contrast, the knee joint primarily functions as a hinge joint, allowing for flexion and extension but limiting rotational movements and circumduction. The wrist joint combines multiple types of movement, including flexion, extension, and some degree of rotation, but it does not allow true circumduction like the shoulder. The ankle involves primarily plantarflexion and dorsiflexion, limiting its capacity for circumduction as well. Thus, the shoulder joint stands out as the only option that is capable of the complete range of motions necessary for circumduction.