In
anatomy, a joint capsule or articular capsule is an envelope surrounding a
synovial joint
A synovial joint, also known as diarthrosis, joins bones or cartilage with a fibrous joint capsule that is continuous with the periosteum of the joined bones, constitutes the outer boundary of a synovial cavity, and surrounds the bones' articulat ...
.
eMedicine/Stedman Medical Dictionary Lookup!
Each joint capsule has two parts: an outer fibrous layer or membrane, and an inner synovial layer or membrane.
Membranes
Each capsule consists of two layers or membranes:
* an outer (fibrous membrane, ''fibrous stratum'') composed of avascular white fibrous tissue
* an inner (''synovial membrane
The synovial membrane (also known as the synovial stratum, synovium or stratum synoviale) is a specialized connective tissue that lines the inner surface of capsules of synovial joints and tendon sheath. It makes direct contact with the fibrous ...
'', ''synovial stratum'') which is a secreting layer
On the inside of the capsule, articular cartilage covers the end surfaces of the bones that articulate within that joint.
The outer layer is highly innervated by the same nerves which perforate through the adjacent muscles associated with the joint.
Fibrous membrane
The fibrous membrane of the joint capsule is attached to the whole circumference of the articular end of each bone entering into the joint, and thus entirely surrounds the articulation. It is made up of dense connective tissue. It's a long spongy tissue.
Clinical significance
Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) is a disorder in which the shoulder capsule becomes inflamed.
Plica syndrome is a disorder in which the synovial plica becomes inflamed and causes abnormal biomechanics in the knee.
Gallery
File:Gray201.png, Left clavicle. Inferior surface.
File:Gray235.png, Right hip bone. External surface.
File:Slide2bib.JPG, Right knee in extension. Deep dissection. Posterior view.
File:Slide2cocc.JPG, Right knee in extension. Deep dissection. Posterior view.
See also
* Articular capsule of the humerus
* Articular capsule of the knee joint
* Atlanto-axial joint
The atlanto-axial joint is a joint in the upper part of the neck between the atlas bone and the axis bone, which are the first and second cervical vertebrae. It is a pivot joint.
Structure
The atlanto-axial joint is a joint between the atlas bo ...
* Capsule of atlantooccipital articulation
* Capsule of hip joint
The articular capsule (capsular ligament) is strong and dense.
Anterosuperiorly, it is attached to the margin of the acetabulum 5 to 6 mm. beyond the labrum behind; but in front, it is attached to the outer margin of the labrum, and, opposi ...
* Capsule of temporomandibular joint
In anatomy, the temporomandibular joints (TMJ) are the two joints connecting the jawbone to the skull. It is a bilateral Synovial joint, synovial articulation between the temporal bone of the skull above and the Human mandible, mandible below; ...
References
External links
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Anatomy