Synovial Joints and Ligaments Flashcards
What are the cellular, fibrillar and interfrillar components of connective tissues?
- Cells, protein fibers and amorphous ground substance make up the extracellular matrix
- Collagen
- Elastic and reticular fibers
Describe the composition and physical characteristics of articular cartilage.
- Articular cartilage is hyaline cartilage and is 2 to 4 mm thick. Unlike most tissues, articular cartilage does not have blood vessels, nerves, or lymphatics. It is composed of a dense extracellular matrix (ECM) with a sparse distribution of highly specialized cells called chondrocytes.
Describe the role of proteoglycans in articular cartilage.
- Proteoglycans as one of the main components of the ECM have diverse functions in the cartilage. They bind water and provide the basis for absorbing high compressive loads.
How does articular cartilage receive nourishment given it avascular nature?
Joint Fluid
What factors may contribute to the development of osteoarthritis? (Consider the factors discussed in the prescribed reading in addition to those covered in the lecture).
- Overuse
- Repetitive stress
- Obesity
- Poor posture
What effects do hyaluronate & lubricin have on the physical characteristics of synovial fluid?
The presence of high molar mass hyaluronan (HA) in this fluid gives it the required viscosity for its function as lubricant solution.
Define Thixotropy
- Thixotropy is defined as the progressive decrease in viscosity with time for a constant applied shear stress, followed by a gradual recovery when the stress is removed.
Describe the three forms of lubrication that are described in this lecture.
- Boundary
- Mixed
- Full film
Describe the composition of ligaments.
- A ligament is composed of dense fibrous bundles of collagenous fibres and spindle-shaped cells known as fibrocytes, with little ground substance
