Synovial joints are a type of joint with an articular capsule, consisting of an outer fibrous layer and an inner synovial membrane, which surrounds a fluid-filled synovial cavity. The articulating surfaces are covered by hyaline cartilage, designed to slide with little friction and to absorb compressive forces.
These joints are termed diarthroses, meaning they are freely mobile. They are more mobile than cartilaginous joints and fibrous joints.
Features of all synovial joints
- articular capsule with synovial membrane
- synovial cavity containing synovial fluid
- articular hyaline cartilage
Additional features within some synovial joints
- fibrocartilaginous discs e.g. menisci within the knee joint
- intracapsular ligaments e.g. cruciate ligaments within the knee joint
- intracapsular tendons e.g. popliteus tendon within the knee joint
- intra-articular tendons e.g. long head of biceps tendon within the shoulder joint
Additional features surrounding some synovial joints
- fat pads e.g. infrapatellar fat pad
- bursae
- extracapsular ligaments
- tendons
- sesamoid bones
Types of synovial joints
- ball-and-socket joint e.g. hip joint
- hinge joint e.g. elbow joint
- condyloid joint e.g. radiocarpal joint
- saddle joint e.g. first carpometocarpal joint
- pivot joint e.g. medial atlantoaxial joint
- plane joint e.g. intercarpal joint
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