Physiology

• Synovial fluid is often referred to as what?

  joint fluid
• Synovial fluid: a viscous liquid found in the cavities of the movable joints (diarthroses) or synovial joints
• Label the following:

  A) Bone

  B) Ligament

  C) Cartilage

  D) Synovial Fluid

  E) Synovial membrane

  F) Bone

  
• The bones in the synovial joints are lined with smooth articular CARTILAGE and separated by a CAVITY containing the SYNOVIAL FLUID.
• The joint is enclosed in a fibrous joint CAPSULE lined by the SYNOVIAL MEMBRANE.
• The synovial membrane contains specialized cells called what?

  synoviocytes
• The smooth articular cartilage and synovial fluid together reduce FRICTION between the bones during joint movement.
• In addition to providing lubrication in the joints, synovial fluid provides NUTRIENTS to the articular cartilage and lessens the SHOCK of joint compression that occurs during activities such as walking and jogging.
• Synovial fluid is formed as an ultrafiltrate of what across the synovial membrane?

  Plasma
• The ultrafiltration of plasma is NONSELECTIVE except for the exclusion of HIGH MOLECULAR WEIGHT PROTEINS.
• Most of the chemical constituents of synovial fluid, although seldom of clinical significance, have concentrations similar to the values of what?

  plasma
• The chemical constituents of the synovial fluid provide nutrients for the VASCULAR-DEFICIENT cartilage.
• Synoviocytes secrete a mucopolysaccharide containing what?

  hyaluronic acid and small amount of protein
• What contributes of the noticeable viscosity to the synovial fluid?

  large hyaluronate molecules
• Damage to the articular membranes produces pain and stiffness in the joints, collectively referred to as what?

  Arthritis
• LABORATORY RESULTS of synovial fluid analysis can be used to determine the pathologic origin of arthritis.
• The beneficial tests most frequently performed on synovial fluid are the WBC COUNT, DIFFERENTIAL, GRAM STAIN, CULTURE, and CRYSTAL examination.
• A variety of conditions including INFECTION, INFLAMMATION, METABOLIC DISORDERS, TRAUMA, PHYSICAL STRESS, and ADVANCED AGE are associated with arthritis.
• Disorders are frequently classified into what 4 groups?

  Noninflammatory, inflammatory, septic, and hemorrhagic