Ball and socket joints are a type of synovial joint where the spherical head of one bone fits into a cup-like cavity of another bone. This structure allows for a wide range of motion in almost all directions. The shoulder joint and hip joint are examples of ball and socket joints, as they allow for movement in multiple planes, including flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, and rotation. On the other hand, the knee joint is a hinge joint, and the elbow and finger joints are also hinge joints, which allow movement mainly in one plane.