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Structural Joints: Synovial Joints

Structural Joints: Synovial Joints

Synovial joints are the most common type of joint in the body. A key structural characteristic for a synovial joint is the presence of a joint cavity. This fluid-filled space is where the articulating surfaces of the bones contact each other. Also, unlike fibrous or cartilaginous joints, the articulating bone surfaces at a synovial joint are not directly connected to each other with fibrous connective tissue or cartilage. This gives the bones of a synovial joint the ability to move smoothly...

Design Example: Deciding Thickness of Lubricating Fluid in a Shaft

Design Example: Deciding Thickness of Lubricating Fluid in a Shaft

Effective lubrication between a rotating shaft and its bearing housing is essential in rotating machinery to minimize friction, wear, and energy loss. With carefully controlled thickness and viscosity, the lubricant layer prevents metal-to-metal contact, ensuring smooth operation.
To calculate the required thickness of the lubricant layer, the tangential velocity at the shaft's surface must first be determined. This velocity is calculated by converting the rotational speed to angular velocity...

Structural Classification of Joints

Structural Classification of Joints

Joints, also known as articulations, are classified based on their structural characteristics, i.e., based on whether the articulating surfaces of the adjacent bones are directly connected by fibrous connective tissue or cartilage, or whether the articulating surfaces contact each other within a fluid-filled joint cavity. These differences serve to divide the joints of the body into three structural classifications.
A fibrous joint is where the adjacent bones are united by fibrous connective...

Knee Joint

Knee Joint

The knee joint is the most complicated joint in the body. It consists of three articulations– two tibiofemoral and one patellofemoral. As is characteristic of synovial joints, the knee joint has a thin articular capsule that partially surrounds this joint cavity. Additionally, several ligaments, muscles, and cartilaginous structures support the movement of the knee.
A total of seven ligaments support the knee joint. The patellar ligament, which is also attached to the quadriceps femoris group...

Structural Joints: Cartilaginous Joints

Structural Joints: Cartilaginous Joints

As the name indicates, at a cartilaginous joint, the adjacent bones are united by cartilage, a tough but flexible type of connective tissue. Unlike synovial joints, these types of joints lack a joint cavity and involve bones joined together by either hyaline cartilage or fibrocartilage.
There are two types of cartilaginous joints:
Synchondrosis
A synchondrosis ("joined by cartilage") is a cartilaginous joint where bones are connected by hyaline cartilage. Synchondrosis may be temporary or...

Journal Bearings

Journal Bearings

Journal bearings are mechanical components that support and provide lateral stability to rotating shafts and axles. They are crucial in reducing friction, wear, and vibration in machinery such as engines, turbines, and pumps. The principle behind journal bearings is forming a thin lubricant film between the bearing surface and the rotating shaft, which minimizes direct contact and reduces frictional forces.
To better understand the concept of journal bearings, consider a rope winch with dry or...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 29, 2026

A Friction Testing-Bioreactor Device for Study of Synovial Joint Biomechanics, Mechanobiology, and Physical Regulation

A Friction Testing-Bioreactor Device for Study of Synovial Joint Biomechanics, Mechanobiology, and Physical Regulation

Published on: June 2, 2022

Engineering lubrication in articular cartilage.

Sean M McNary¹, Kyriacos A Athanasiou, A Hari Reddi

¹Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Lawrence Ellison Center for Tissue Regeneration and Repair, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, California, USA.

Tissue Engineering. Part B, Reviews

|September 30, 2011

Summary

Tissue-engineered cartilage needs better surface properties for joint function. Future therapies must integrate lubrication methods to mimic natural cartilage

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Last Updated: May 29, 2026

A Friction Testing-Bioreactor Device for Study of Synovial Joint Biomechanics, Mechanobiology, and Physical Regulation

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Published on: June 2, 2022

Biotribological Testing and Analysis of Articular Cartilage Sliding against Metal for Implants

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Published on: May 14, 2020

A 3D System for Culturing Human Articular Chondrocytes in Synovial Fluid

A 3D System for Culturing Human Articular Chondrocytes in Synovial Fluid

Published on: January 31, 2012

Area of Science:

Biomaterials Science
Regenerative Medicine
Orthopedic Engineering

Background:

Articular cartilage tissue engineering has advanced bulk mechanical properties but neglected surface tribology.
Native cartilage's frictional and wear properties are crucial for joint articulation and longevity.
Engineered cartilage may fail under physiological loads without optimal lubrication.

Purpose of the Study:

To highlight the importance of surface mechanical and tribological properties in engineered cartilage.
To review current knowledge on articular cartilage lubrication biology and engineering.
To advocate for integrating lubrication strategies into cartilage tissue engineering.

Main Methods:

Overview of articular cartilage structure, biology, and lubrication mechanisms.
Review of lubrication treatments: tribosupplementation, pharmacological, and cell-based therapies.
Discussion of frictional assay methods, including pin-on-disk tribometry.

Main Results:

Significant progress in understanding cartilage lubrication provides an opportunity for application.
Engineered cartilage must possess both mechanical and tribological properties similar to native tissue.
Current research is shifting towards a more holistic approach to cartilage repair.

Conclusions:

A paradigm shift is needed in articular cartilage tissue engineering to include lubrication.
Future engineered cartilage must be designed with biomimetic tribological functions.
This review serves as a foundation for developing mechanically and tribologically robust engineered cartilage.