Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Structural Joints: Synovial Joints01:16

Structural Joints: Synovial Joints

10.0K
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...
10.0K
Development of the Limb Synovial Joints01:07

Development of the Limb Synovial Joints

2.8K
Joints form during embryonic development in conjunction with the formation and growth of the associated bones. The embryonic tissue that gives rise to all bones, cartilage, and connective tissues of the body is called mesenchyme.
The mesenchymal stem cells differentiate into chondrocytes that form the hyaline cartilage, and later the cartilaginous model of the bone. This model further transforms into a bone. This process is known as endochondral ossification.
During development, the limbs...
2.8K
Joints01:26

Joints

36.7K
Joints, also called articulations or articular surfaces, are points at which ligaments or other tissues connect adjacent bones. Joints permit movement and stability, and can be classified based on their structure or function.
Structural joint classifications are based on the material that makes up the joint as well as whether or not the joint contains a space between the bones. Joints are structurally classified as fibrous, cartilaginous, or synovial.
Fibrous Joints Are Immovable
The bones of a...
36.7K
Functional Classification of Joints01:09

Functional Classification of Joints

9.3K
Functional Classification of Joints
The functional classification of joints is determined by the amount of mobility between the adjacent bones. Joints are functionally classified as a synarthrosis or immobile joint, an amphiarthrosis or slightly moveable joint, or as a diarthrosis, a freely moveable joint. Fibrous and cartilaginous joints can be functionally classified as either synarthroses  or amphiarthroses, whereas all synovial joints are classified as diarthroses.
Synarthrosis
An...
9.3K
Introduction to Joints00:58

Introduction to Joints

5.9K
The adult human body usually has 206 bones, and except for the hyoid bone in the neck, each bone is connected to at least one other bone. Joints are the location where bones come together. Many joints allow for movement between the bones. At these joints, the articulating surfaces of the adjacent bones can move smoothly against each other. However, the bones of other joints may be joined by connective tissue or cartilage. These joints are designed for stability and provide little or no...
5.9K
Structural Classification of Joints01:20

Structural Classification of Joints

9.1K
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...
9.1K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Microbiological contamination of domestic kitchen sponges and associated hygiene practices.

Frontiers in microbiology·2026
Same author

Anti-Müllerian hormone promotes minichromosome maintenance protein expression and creatine metabolism in primate preantral follicles under hypoxia.

Reproductive biology and endocrinology : RB&E·2026
Same author

Harnessing Hydrogel Interaction with Functional Polymeric Nanoparticles for Sustained Co-Delivery of Therapeutics.

ACS biomaterials science & engineering·2026
Same author

Catalytic Amyloids: Turning Fibrils Into Biocatalysts.

Chemistry (Weinheim an der Bergstrasse, Germany)·2026
Same author

Thymic Neuroendocrine Tumors: Evolving Insights and Innovative Approaches.

JTO clinical and research reports·2026
Same author

Deep learning discriminates thymic epithelial tumors' histological subtypes using digital pathology.

Annals of oncology : official journal of the European Society for Medical Oncology·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 20, 2026

A Friction Testing-Bioreactor Device for Study of Synovial Joint Biomechanics, Mechanobiology, and Physical Regulation
09:48

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

Published on: June 2, 2022

3.7K

Synovial joints: from development to homeostasis.

Lara Longobardi1, Tieshi Li, Lidia Tagliafierro

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 109 Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-7039, USA, lara_longobardi@med.unc.edu.

Current Osteoporosis Reports
|November 29, 2014
PubMed
Summary

Understanding synovial joint formation is key to treating cartilage injuries. Researchers are exploring joint progenitor cells in adults to reactivate cartilage repair mechanisms.

More Related Videos

Author Spotlight: Isolation and Culture of Primary Synovial Macrophages and Fibroblasts from Murine Arthritis Tissue
09:18

Author Spotlight: Isolation and Culture of Primary Synovial Macrophages and Fibroblasts from Murine Arthritis Tissue

Published on: February 24, 2023

11.0K
Synovial Fluid Analysis to Identify Osteoarthritis
07:51

Synovial Fluid Analysis to Identify Osteoarthritis

Published on: October 20, 2022

7.3K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Apr 20, 2026

A Friction Testing-Bioreactor Device for Study of Synovial Joint Biomechanics, Mechanobiology, and Physical Regulation
09:48

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

Published on: June 2, 2022

3.7K
Author Spotlight: Isolation and Culture of Primary Synovial Macrophages and Fibroblasts from Murine Arthritis Tissue
09:18

Author Spotlight: Isolation and Culture of Primary Synovial Macrophages and Fibroblasts from Murine Arthritis Tissue

Published on: February 24, 2023

11.0K
Synovial Fluid Analysis to Identify Osteoarthritis
07:51

Synovial Fluid Analysis to Identify Osteoarthritis

Published on: October 20, 2022

7.3K

Area of Science:

  • Developmental biology
  • Stem cell biology
  • Orthopedics

Background:

  • Synovial joint morphogenesis involves mesenchymal cell condensation into the interzone and progenitor cell specification.
  • The precise mechanisms of interzone signaling during joint development are not well understood.
  • Identifying adult joint progenitor cells is crucial for developing treatments for cartilage injuries.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the process of synovial joint formation.
  • To identify joint progenitor cells in adult tissues and their gene expression patterns.
  • To understand how developmental mechanisms can be reactivated for cartilage repair.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on synovial joint development and progenitor cells.
  • Analysis of gene expression patterns in potential stem cell niches.
  • Correlation of developmental failures with joint malformations and degeneration.

Main Results:

  • Mesenchymal cell condensation and progenitor cell specification are critical for joint formation.
  • Potential stem cell niches exist in adult joint tissues like articular cartilage and synovium.
  • Dysregulation of morphogenic factors can lead to skeletal defects and joint degeneration.

Conclusions:

  • Investigating joint development provides insights into cartilage and bone damage.
  • Understanding these mechanisms may lead to new therapeutic strategies for joint repair.
  • Reactivating developmental pathways holds promise for treating inherited and degenerative joint conditions.