Physiology 3 Flashcards
how are synovial joints supported?
extra-articular structures
- ligaments
- tendons
- bursors
give 2 functions of joints
structural support
purposeful movement
give roles of joints in movement
distribute stress (often through muscles over joint)
confer stability via shape, ligaments and synovial fluid
joint lubrication
- cartilage interstitial fluid
- synovium derived hyaluronic acid
- synovium derived lubricin
how does a joint confer stability?
shape of articular component
ligaments
synovial fluid (acts as adhesive seal that permits sliding motion)
what are the functions of synovial fluid?
- lubricates joint
- facilitates movement by reducing friction
- minimises wear and tear via lubrication
- aids nutrition of articular cartilage
- supplies chondrocytes (cartilage cells) with O2 and nutrients and removes CO2 and waste products
how much synovial fluid is in the knee?
<3.5 ml
is synovial fluid static?
no
continuously replenished by synovial membrane
is synovial fluid thin or viscous?
viscous
due to presence of hyaluronic acid (mucin) produced by synovial cells
is synovial fluid always the same?
no
viscosity and elasticity varies with joint movement
rapid movement = decreased viscosity and increased elasticity
where are constituents of synovial fluid derived from?
dialysis of blood plasma
how many cells are contained within synovial fluid?
only a few
mainly mononuclear leucocytes
what changes occur in synovial fluid in osteoarthritis?
the ability of synovial fluid to change viscosity and elasticity is defective
what does synovial fluid look like?
clear and colourless
high viscosity
what is the cell count of synovial fluid?
<200/mm3 WBC
- polymorphs make up <25/mm3
WBC count will increase in inflammatory and septic arthritis
when can synovial fluid be red?
traumatic synovial tap
haemorrhagic arthritis
how does clarity/colour of synovial fluid change in septic arthritis?
becomes opaque due to high number of WBCs
variable colour
less viscous
what does articular cartilage do?
mainly prevents wear and tear of joints by providing low friction, lubricated gliding surface
distributes pressure to bone
what determines the mechanical properties of articular cartilage?
determined by composition of ECM and interaction between solid and fluid phase of cartilage
what are the zones of articular cartilage?
superficial
middle (biggest)
deep
calcified
how do zones of articular cartilage differ?
organization of collagen fibres and relative content of cartilage components