Synovial Fluid - Buskila

Question 1

Describe normal synovial fluid

Answer 1

Clear

Colorless or straw colored

Viscous

Scant in volume

High viscosity related to the presence of hyaluronate

<200 leukocytes/mm^3

Mainly mononuclear cells (>75%) and PMNs (<25%)

Concentration of proteins 1/3 of plasma (mostly albumin)

Albumin to globulin ration 4:1 vs plasma 1:`

Absent fibrinogen (so fluid doesn’t clot)

Question 2

Name each synovial fluid pathology

Answer 2

1. Normal
2. Osteoarthritis (not inflammatory, degenerative)
3. Bloody (hemarthrosis from bleeding diathesis, trauma or rarely villonodular synovitis)
4. Purulent (inflammation from septis or gout)