SYNOVIAL JOINTS CHARACTERISTICS

❖ Fluid-filled joint cavity

❖ Fibrous capsule
❖ Most common type of joints
❖ Several structures not seen in fibrous or cartilaginous joints
A- Key structure of Synovial Joints
1- 3 main features
Articular capsule, articular cartilage, and synovial fluid.

a- Articular capsule:
Continuous with the periosteum
Has two layers:
➢ Fibrous layer (outer)
➢ Synovial layer (inner)
Highly vascularized and secretes synovial fluids
b- Articular cartilage
Covered by hyaline cartilage, relatively vascular:
Has two main roles:
➢ Absorbing shock
➢ Minimizing friction
c- Synovial fluid:
Has three primary functions:
➢ Lubrification
➢ Nutrient distribution
➢ Shock absorption
B- ACCESSORY STRUCTURE OF A SYNIVIAL JOINT
1- ACCESSORY LIGAMENT
Separate ligament or part of the joint capsule,
Bundle of dense connective tissue, highly adapted to resist strength, to protect from joint dislocation resulting from extreme movement.
C- BURSAE
Small sack lined by the synovial membrane and filled with synovial fluid
They are located at the key points of friction in a joint.
Can become inflamed: Bursitis /bursaitis/

D- Innervation:
Rich supply from the articular nerve.
E- Vascularization:
➢ Articular arteries and veins
➢ Located mostly in the synovial membrane.
F- Clinical relevance:
Osteoarthritis.
 KNEE JOINT CHARACTERISTICS
❖ Huge synovial joint
❖ Flexion/extension
❖ Formed by articulation between:
❖ Patella, femur and tibia
A- Articulatory surfaces:
Two articulations:
➢ Femoropatellar
➢ Tibiofemoral

Articular surfaces lined by hyaline cartilage

1- Tibiofemoral joint:
Medial/lateral condyle of the femur
Tibia condyle
2- Femoro-patellar joint
Anterior part of the femur/patella
Quadriceps femoral tendon/ Tibial tuberosity
B- Menisci /menisKi/ (Plural of meniscus)
Medical and lateral menisci
Fibrocartilage
➢ deepens the articular surface of the tibia
➢ acts as a shock absorber
➢ is C-shaped (around the tibial condyle)
The medial meniscus is fixed to the tibial collateral ligament and joint capsule.
The lateral meniscus has no extra attachments.
C- Bursae:
Fluid-filled sacks.
There are four bursae:
➢ Suprapatellar
➢ Prepatellar
➢ Infrapatellar
➢ Semi-membranes

D- Ligaments:
1- Patellar ligaments
2- Collateral ligaments

Two ligaments
Stabilization of the knee
Prevention of excessive medial and lateral movement
a- Medial: Tibial collateral ligament:
➢ Epicondyle of the femur
➢ Medial condyle of the tibia
b- Lateral: Fibrous collateral ligament
➢ Epicondyle of the femur
➢ Fibrous head
3- Cruciate ligaments:
They cross each other
a- ACL: Anterior Cruciate Ligament
 Intercondylar tibia
Intercondylar fossa
It prevents anterior dislocation
E- Movements
4 main movements:
➢ extension: quadriceps femoris
➢ flexion:
- Gracilis,
- Sartorius,
- Popliteus
➢ Lateral rotation: Biceps femoris
➢ Medial rotation:
- Semi-membranous
- Semi tendinous
- Gracilis,
- Sartorius,
- Popliteus
Lateral and medial rotation can occur only when the knee is flexed.
F- Clinical relevance
1) Collateral ligament: Most common pathology.
2) Cruciate ligament:
➢ ACL
Hyperflexion
Anterior drawer test
➢ PCL
 3) Bursitis
4) Unhappy triad:
➢ Rupture of medial collateral ligament
➢ Affected ACL
➢ Damage of medial meniscus
G- Neurovascular supply:
➢ Genicular anastomosis
➢ Genicular branch of the femoral artery of popliteal artery.