Final answer:
A uniaxial joint permits movement in a single plane and includes examples like the elbow and knee. Plane joints or gliding joints can theoretically allow multiple movements but are often functionally limited to small, restrictive motions by surrounding structures.
Step-by-step explanation:
The type of joint that permits movement in a single plane is known as a uniaxial joint. This joint allows for motion within only one anatomical plane around a single axis. Examples of uniaxial joints include the elbow and the knee, which respectively allow bending or straightening actions. In contrast to uniaxial joints, plane joints (also referred to as gliding joints) have flat or slightly curved articulating surfaces and can allow multiple movements, but these are generally constrained by ligaments or neighboring bones, limiting the motion to small glides or rotations and sometimes permitting only a single movement plane.
Planar joints are typically found in the carpal bones of the wrist, the tarsal bones of the foot, and between the vertebrae. While they can be classified as multiaxial joints based on shape, their actual functional movement is often more limited. For a comprehensive understanding of joint movements, it's important to note the distinction between plane joints and the significantly more mobile ball-and-socket joints, which allow for a wide range of motion in several planes and are exemplified by the shoulder and hip joints.