SYNOVIAL JOINTS:

The bones are separated by a fluid containing joint cavity. This permits free movement all
synovial joints are freely movable diarthrosis.
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Structure:

All synovial joints have a joint cavity enclosed by a fibrous layer lined with synovial
membrane and reinforced by ligaments. The joint cavity strengthens the joint so that the bones
are not pulled apart. The bone extremities are covered with articular cartilage a glassy-smooth
hyaline cartilage that absorbs shock. Inside of the joint cavity there is synovial fluid, which
occupies all the free spaces in the joint capsule. It is derived by filtration of the blood supply of
the membrane, it is of an egg-white consistency because of the hyaluronic acid secreted by the
synovial membrane. The synovial fluid provides a slippery weight bearing film that reduces
friction between cartilages. Besides the basic components described above some joints such as
the knee and hip joints have additional fatty pads, or discs that improve the articulation.
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Bursae and Tendon Sheaths:

Bursae are fibrous sacs lined with synovial membrane and contain synovial fluid.
Tendon sheaths are similar to bursae but are cylindrical structures to move smoothly over one
another.

FACTORS INFLUENCING THE STABILITY OF SYNOVIAL JOINTS:

Articular surfaces provide the most stability when they have large surfaces and deep sockets

that fit snugly together.

Ligaments prevent undesirable movements and reinforce the joint.
The tone of muscles whose tendons cross the joint is the most important stabilizing in many
joints.

MOVEMENTS ALLOWED BY SYNOVIAL JOINTS:

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When a skeletal muscle contracts, the insertion moves toward the origin
Synovial joints are different in their range of motion. Motion can be nonaxial,

uniaxial, biaxial or multiaxial.

Special movements include supination, protraction and retraction, elevation and

depression, opposition, dorsiflexion and plantar flexion.

There are three types of movement:
Gliding movements: one flat and bone surface glides or slips over another.
Back and forth and side to side.

Angular movements: increase or decrease the angle between 2 bones.

Include flexion, extension, hyperextension, abduction, adduction and

circumduction.
Rotation: turning of the bone around its own axis.

Types of synovial joints synovial joints can be classified further into six major categories:
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Lane
Hinge
Pivot
Condylar
Saddle
Ball and socket

SELECTED SYNOVIAL JOINTS

KNEE JOINT
The knee joint is the largest joint in the body. It is a hinge joint formed by the articulation of the
tibial and femoral condyles. This joint permits extension, flexion, and some rotation. Its
articular surfaces are shallow and condylar. This joint has an additional component to its
structure, a c shaped disc also called menisci that deepens the articular surfaces. The joint cavity
is closed only by the sides and posterior region by the capsule. The stability of the knee joint is
provided by the muscle tone of the quadriceps and semimembranosus muscles.