Dictionary > Joint capsule

Joint capsule

Definition
noun, plural: joint capsules
A sac-like fibrous tissue that envelopes a synovial joint
Supplement
Synovial joints are movable joints that enable abduction, adduction, extension, flexion, and rotation. It is comprised of a sac-like fibrous joint capsule, a synovial cavity filled with a synovial fluid, and a layer of articular cartilage.
The joint capsule is a sac-like fibrous capsule continuous with the periosteum of the articulating bones. This capsule is made up of two layers: (1) an outer fibrous membrane comprised chiefly of ligaments and (2) an inner synovial membrane. The synovial membrane, in turn, is generally comprised of subintima (an outer layer of connective tissue) and intima. The intimal layer is the inner layer of the synovial membrane with two types of cells: fibroblast-like (type B) synovial cells and macrophage-like (type A) synovial cells. The type B synovial cells release components of the synovial fluid into the synovial cavity. The synovial membrane, therefore, is involved in secreting components for the synovial fluid that fills the synovial cavity. The synovial fluid is the clear, viscid fluid that functions by lubricating the articulating joints, supplying nutrients and oxygen, and removing metabolic wastes.
The joint capsule lacks blood and lymph vessels and therefore receives nutrition by diffusion or by convection.
Synonym(s):

  • articular capsule

See also:

  • synovial joint
  • synovial membrane
  • synovial fluid


  • You will also like...

    Structural depiction of catalase, an enzyme
    Protein Activity and Cellular Metabolism

    Proteins have a crucial role in various biological activities. Get to know how proteins are able to perform as enzymes, ..

    Chemical composition of the body
    Chemical Composition of the Body

    The body is comprised of different elements with hydrogen, oxygen, carbon, and nitrogen as the major four. This tutorial..

    Principles of Hormonal Control Systems
    Principles of Hormonal Control Systems

    Hormones are essential in the regulation of the activity of the various biological systems of the human body. The ineffi..

    Disturbance on a still water
    Abiotic Factors – Water Conditions

    A still body of water may be disturbed by a variety of factors. One of them is wind. In fact, it is considered as the pr..

    Crossing Over and Genetic Diversity
    Inheritance and Probability

    Gregor Mendel, an Austrian monk, is most famous in this field for his study of the phenotype of pea plants, including ..

    Sensory systems
    Sensory Systems

    A sensory system is a part of the nervous system consisting of sensory receptors that receive stimuli from the internal ..

    Related Articles...

    No related articles found

    See all Related Topics