In
anatomy
Anatomy () is the branch of biology concerned with the study of the structure of organisms and their parts. Anatomy is a branch of natural science that deals with the structural organization of living things. It is an old science, having it ...
, a joint capsule or articular capsule is an envelope surrounding a
synovial joint.
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 fibro ...
'', ''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, also known as frozen shoulder, is a condition associated with shoulder pain and stiffness. It is a common shoulder ailment that is marked by pain and a loss of range of motion, particularly in external rotation. There is a ...
(adhesive capsulitis) is a disorder in which the shoulder capsule becomes inflamed.
Plica syndrome
Plica syndrome is a condition that occurs when a ''plica'' (a vestigial extension of the protective synovial capsule of usually the knee) becomes irritated, enlarged, or inflamed.
Cause
This inflammation is typically caused by the plica being c ...
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
The capsule of the glenohumeral (shoulder) joint is the articular capsule of the shoulder. It completely surrounds the joint. It is attached above to the circumference of the glenoid cavity beyond the glenoidal labrum, and below to the anatomica ...
* Articular capsule of the knee joint
The articular capsule of the knee joint (commonly referred to as the capsular ligament) is the wide and lax joint capsule of the knee. It is thin in front and at the side, and contains the patella, ligaments, menisci, and bursae of the knee.Platz ...
* 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 ...
* Capsule of atlantooccipital articulation
The atlanto-occipital joint (''Capsula articularis atlantooccipitalis'') is an articulation between the atlas bone and the occipital bone. It consists of a pair of condyloid joints. It is a synovial joint.
Structure
The atlanto-occipital join ...
* 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, opposite ...
* 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 articulation between the temporal bone of the skull above and the mandible below; it is from these bones that ...
References
External links
*
{{Authority control
Anatomy