Joints, Synovial Fluid and Cartilage Flashcards
What are the main types of joints?
Fibrous
Cartilaginous
Synovial
What are the main types of fibrous joints?
Periodontal ligament
Cranial suture
Interosseus membranes
What types of cartilage are seen in primary cartilaginous joints?
Only hyaline cartilage
What types of cartilage are seen in secondary cartilaginous joints?
Hyaline AND fibrocartilage
What are the common features of synovial joints?
Synovial cavity
Articular cartilage
Fibrous capsule
Synovial membrane
What is contained within the superficial layer of articular cartilage?
Flattened chondrocytes producing collagen + glycoproteins
What is contained within the transitional layer of articular cartilage?
Round chondrocytes that produce proteoglycans
What is the structure of glycoproteins?
More protein than carbohydrate
What is the structure of proteoglycans?
More carb than protein (heavily glycosylated proteins)
What is synovium?
Synoviocytes producing the fluid
Rich capillary network
No epithelium
What is the role of type A synoviocytes?
Remove debris
Produce synovial fluid
What is the role of type B synoviocytes?
Main producer of synovial fluid
What is the function of synovial fluid?
Nutrition of cartilage
Removal of waste products
Lubrication
What is the lubrication action of synovial joints?
Boundary
Hydrodynamic
Weeping of fluid
How do synovial fluids change with age?
Viscosity of synovial fluid increases
Water content of cartilage decreases
