joint anatomy

Question 1

Types of generalised connective tissue & where they are found

Answer 1

Loose connective tissue =
Areas that require support & flexibility
e.g. organs & blood vessels

Dense connective tissue =
Areas that need strength & support
e.g. tendons & ligaments

Adipose tissue =
Stores fat & insulates body

Question 2

Types of specialised connective tissue & where they are found

Answer 2

Bone =
Hard, mineralised tissue
Support & protection of body
Site for blood cell formation
Mineral storage

Cartilage =
Flexible
Shock absorption & support
e.g. joints

Blood =
Fluid connective tissue
Transports oxygen & nutrients throughout body

Question 3

What are fibrous joints?

Answer 3

Joints held together by strong, fibrous connective tissue
Immovable
e.g. sutures between bones of skull, joints between teeth & jaw bone

Question 4

What are cartilaginous joints?

Answer 4

Joints connected by cartilage
Limited movement
e.g. joints between vertebrae in spine & pubic symphysis (2 halves of pelvis)

Question 5

What are synovial joints?

Answer 5

Wide range of movement
Joint cavity filled with synovial fluid (lubricant to reduce friction between bones)
e.g. shoulder joint, hip joint, knee joint

Question 6

Describe normal appearance & features of synovial fluid

Answer 6

Clear/slightly yellow slippery viscous fluid
Fills joint space
Ultrafiltrate of plasma
Lubrication
Nutrition
Low cell count (some neutrophils, lymphocytes & mononuclear cells)
pH < 6.9
Total protein 10-20g/l

Question 7

Describe innervation of synovial structures & explain role in homeostasis & pathology

Answer 7

Sensory nerves detect mechanical stress & temperature changes
Loss of sensory nerves = osteoarthritis & rheumatoid arthritis
Contributes to pain & joint degeneration

Autonomic nerves regulate blood flow & joint inflammation
Increase in autonomic nerves = joint inflammation & pain

Question 8

Describe blood supply of synovial structures & explain role in homeostasis & pathology

Answer 8

Blood vessels highly permeable to allow for exchange of nutrients & waste products between blood & synovial fluid

Osteoarthritis (increase in blood vessel density = joint inflammation & cartilage degradation)

Rheumatoid arthritis (abnormal blood vessel formation in synovial membrane = joint inflammation & damage)