Synovia

Synovial fluid (including synovial fluid or synovial fluid ) is a viscous , stringy, clear body fluid in joints . It is formed by the synovial membrane , the inner layer of the joint capsule , and forms a sliding film on the joint surfaces. The term goes back to Paracelsus and is derived from the Greek syn "together with" and the Latin ovum "egg", as it resembles egg white in consistency and appearance.

composition

Synovia contains:

Hyaluronic acid
Fat droplets
2.5% proteins (1.9% albumin , 0.9% globulins )
Glucose and glycosaminoglycans , which are responsible for the different viscosity depending on the load
94% water
0.5% mucins
detached cells of the synovial membrane of the joint capsule and immune cells

function

The synovia serves to nourish ( trophy ) the joint cartilage , to lubricate the joint surfaces and - together with the joint cartilage - to absorb shock in the joint.

The exchange of fluids and thus the nutrition of the articular cartilage is maintained by alternating loading and unloading of the articular cartilage. As a result of this change, the spongy cartilage tissue is “saturated” and nourished by the synovia. If a joint is immobilized for a long time , but also if it is overloaded, cartilage damage occurs as a result of nutritional disorders .

Other occurrences

Synovia is also found in tendon sliding devices such as tendon sheaths and bursa .

Pathological changes

When there are changes in the joints, be it due to an injury, an inflammatory disease or due to wear and tear, the body reacts with increased production of synovial fluid (joint hydrops ). From the outside, this is noticeable as a swelling of the joint. The tactile findings make it possible to differentiate between a swelling of the joint capsule and an effusion . If the synovia is produced in excess, its composition changes. The normally highly viscous, clear, yellow liquid becomes watery, sometimes cloudy due to cell abrasion or darkened in color due to hemorrhage ( hemarthrosis ). It can then no longer perform its normal functions, and the addition of blood even makes the synovia aggressive towards the cartilage. In veterinary medicine this is also known as joint bile .

If the increased synovial fluid produced remains clear and does not show any abnormalities in the laboratory results , it is referred to as an irritant shower . This occurs quite often after injuries, osteoarthritis or after operations on the joint, of course it hinders function and can overstretch the joint capsule. If the effusion becomes too large, the joint must be punctured . This may only be done under sterile conditions, otherwise there is a risk of pyarthrosis in the joints . The laboratory analysis of the liquid obtained can provide information on the underlying disease. Inflammatory processes, for example in rheumatoid arthritis , can be detected, as well as disorders of uric acid metabolism in gout .

literature

W. Pschyrembel: Clinical Dictionary. 265th edition. Verlag Walter de Gruyter, 2014, ISBN 978-3-11-030509-8 .

supporting documents

^ H. Feneis: Anatomical picture dictionary of the international nomenclature. 7th edition. Thieme 1993, ISBN 3-13-330107-1 .
↑ [1]
↑ [2]
↑ Kurt Tittel: Descriptive and functional anatomy of humans, Elsevier, Urban & FischerVerlag, 2003, p. 46.
↑ N. Wagner, G. Dannecker (ed.): Pediatric Rheumatology. Springer, 2007, ISBN 978-3-540-32814-8 , p. 92.
↑ Physiotherapy in Traumatology / Surgery, Thieme, 2016, ISBN 978-3-13-154734-7 , p. 22 .
↑ Michael Schünke: Functional Anatomy - Topography and Function of the Movement System , Georg Thieme Verlag, 2000, ISBN 978-3-13-118571-6 p. 52 .
^ KL Schmid: Physical and balneological therapy of osteoarthritis . In: Klaus Miehlke: Negotiations of the German Society for Internal Medicine : Congress held in Wiesbaden from April 2 to 6, 1989, Springer-Verlag, 2013, ISBN 978-3-642-83864-4 , pp. 471–478. See p. 473 .

[1] H. Feneis: Anatomical picture dictionary of the international nomenclature. 7th edition. Thieme 1993, ISBN 3-13-330107-1 .

[2] [1]

[3] [2]

[4] Kurt Tittel: Descriptive and functional anatomy of humans, Elsevier, Urban & FischerVerlag, 2003, p. 46.

[5] N. Wagner, G. Dannecker (ed.): Pediatric Rheumatology. Springer, 2007, ISBN 978-3-540-32814-8 , p. 92.

[6] Physiotherapy in Traumatology / Surgery, Thieme, 2016, ISBN 978-3-13-154734-7 , p. 22 .

[7] Michael Schünke: Functional Anatomy - Topography and Function of the Movement System , Georg Thieme Verlag, 2000, ISBN 978-3-13-118571-6 p. 52 .

[8] KL Schmid: Physical and balneological therapy of osteoarthritis . In: Klaus Miehlke: Negotiations of the German Society for Internal Medicine : Congress held in Wiesbaden from April 2 to 6, 1989, Springer-Verlag, 2013, ISBN 978-3-642-83864-4 , pp. 471–478. See p. 473 .