Joints, Synovial Fluid and Cartlidge

Question 1

RECAP- give an example of a fibrous joint.

Answer 1

Cranial sutures
Interossues membrane
Periodontal ligament

Question 1

RECAP- three types of joint?

Answer 1

Synovial
Fibrous
Cartilaginous

Question 2

What is a primary cartilaginous joint composed of?

Answer 2

Hyaline cartilage only

Question 3

What is a secondary cartilaginous joint composed of?

Answer 3

Hyaline and fibrocartilage

Question 4

Give an example of a primary cartilaginous joint

Answer 4

Epiphyseal growth plate

Question 5

Give an example of a secondary cartilaginous joint.

Answer 5

Intervertebral discs

Question 6

Which type of joint has the most movement?

Answer 6

Synovial

Question 7

What is found in the synovial capsule of the synovial joints?

Answer 7

Synovial fluid

Question 8

What are glycosaminoglycans or GAGs?

Answer 8

Unbranched polysaccharides which are highly polar and therefore attract water

Question 9

What are glycoproteins?

Answer 9

Proteins with carbohydrates attached
More protein than carb

Question 10

What are proteoglycans?

Answer 10

GAGs attached to a core protein
Tends to be more carb than protein

Question 11

What is the water content of healthy cartilage like?

Answer 11

High, around 75%

->big advantage as gives strength- think in terms of physics, if water is incompressable

Question 12

Cartilage is avascular. How does it get it’s nutrients?

Answer 12

From the synovial fluid

Question 13

What produces synovial fluid?

Answer 13

Synoviocytes in the synovium

Question 14

The synovium has a rich capillary network. What does this allow for?

Answer 14

Direct exchange of oxygen, CO2 and metabolites between the blood and synovial fluid

Question 15

There are two types of synoviocytes- type A and B, which produce the majority of the synovial fluid?

Answer 15

Type B

Question 16

What do type A synviocytes do?

Answer 16

Produce some synovial fluid
Remove debris

Question 17

What are some of the components of synovial fluid?

Answer 17

Hyaluronic acid
Lubricin

Question 18

What is the main function of synovial fluid?

Answer 18

To provide lubrication for joints to reduce friction

Question 19

Bursae are fluid filled sacs found in joints. What do they do?

Answer 19

Reduce friction

Question 20

What happens to cartilage with age?

Answer 20

Thinning of cartilage
Water content decreases

This leads to increased stiffness and brittleness
Reduced shock absorption

Question 21

Give an example of a GAG.

Answer 21

Hyaluronic acid

Question 22

Give an example of a glycoprotein.

Answer 22

Lubricin

Question 23

Give an example of a proteoglycan.

Answer 23

Aggrecan