Joint Types Introduction - Synovial Joints

Question 1

What is the major characteristic of synovial joints?

Answer 1

They have a joint capsule that joins the bones and forms
a fluid‐filled cavity . (The space between the bones
contains synovial fluid).

Question 2

What is different about the type of movement that occurs at
synovial joints compared to fibrous and cartilagenous joints?

Answer 2

Instead of having no movement or only limited movement,
synovial joints give the best range of motion‐‐‐they are
diarthrotic.

Question 3

The joint capsule is made of two layers.
What are these?

Answer 3

Outer layer= Fibrous capsule (white in diagram)

Inner layer= Synovial membrane (green in diagram)

Question 4

Besides the joint capsule, what two other structures
always occur in synovial joints?

Answer 4

Ligaments (on top of joint capsule) and
Articular cartilage (hyaline cartilage on bone surfaces)

Question 5

Synovial joints may also contain another structure (shown in green in the
shoulder joint) called a bursa. (Plural= bursae)
Describe what a bursa is & tell its purpose.

Answer 5

A bursa is a sack of fluid‐filled synovial membrane that cushions (protects)
ligaments and tendons. It is usually found outside of the joint cavity.

Question 6

Finally, in the case of the knee’s synovial joint, an additional structure is
present. What is this structure (shown in aqua in the diagram)?

Answer 6

Pads of fibrocartilage, or mensici. (The blue structure is articular cartilage
on end of femur and back of kneecap).