synovium

(noun)

The soft tissue that lines the non-cartilaginous surfaces within joints with cavities (synovial joints). It may emit a joint-lubricating fluid called synovial fluid or simply, synovia.

Related Terms

Examples of synovium in the following topics:

  • Tenosynovitis

    • Tenosynovitis is the inflammation of the fluid-filled sheath (called the synovium) that surrounds a tendon.
    • Tenosynovitis is the inflammation of the fluid-filled sheath (called the synovium) that surrounds a tendon.
    • Outpatient surgery can be used to enlarge the synovium.

  • Synovial Membranes

    • The synovial membrane (or synovium) is the connective tissue which lines the inner surface of the capsule of a synovial joint and secretes synovial fluid which serves a lubricating function, allowing joint surfaces to smoothly move across each other.
    • The surface of synovium may be flat or may be covered with finger-like projections (villi), to allow the soft tissue to change shape as the joint surfaces move on one another.
    • Just beneath the intima, most synovium has a dense net of small blood vessels that provide nutrients, not only for synovium, but also for the avascular cartilage.
    • In any one position, much of the cartilage is close enough to get nutrition directly from the synovium.

  • Structure of Synovial Joints

    • A synovial membrane (or synovium) is the soft tissue found between the articular capsule (joint capsule) and the joint cavity of synovial joints.
    • The surface of a synovium may be flat or covered with finger-like projections (villi) to allow the soft tissue to change shape as the joint surfaces move on one another.
    • In any one position, much of the cartilage is close enough to get nutrition directly from the synovium.

  • Bursae and Tendon Sheaths

    • Synovial joints are made up of five classes of tissues: bone, cartilage, synovium, synovial fluid, and tensile tissues composed of tendons and ligaments.

  • Rheumatism and Arthritis

    • The process involves an inflammatory response of the capsule around the joints (synovium) secondary to swelling (hyperplasia) of synovial cells, excess synovial fluid, and the development of fibrous tissue (pannus) in the synovium.

  • Immune Complex Autoimmune Reactions

    • They involve the deposition of antigen/antibody complexes mainly in the vascular walls, serosa (pleura, pericardium, synovium), and glomeruli.

  • Types of Synovial Joints

    • Immune cells from the blood enter joints and the synovium, causing cartilage breakdown, swelling, and inflammation of the joint lining.