What type of joint allows the most freedom of movement?

A ball-and-socket joint allows for the most freedom of movement because of its unique structure that features a spherical head of one bone fitting into a round socket of another bone. This configuration permits rotation and movement in multiple directions, including flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, and circumduction.

Comparatively, hinge joints allow movement primarily in one direction, like a door, while pivot joints enable rotation around a single axis. Immovable joints, as the name implies, do not allow any movement. Therefore, the ball-and-socket joint stands out as the most versatile joint type, facilitating a wide range of activities and providing the highest level of mobility in the human body, such as in the shoulders and hips.