Articular capsule

Joint capsule
Diagrammatic section of a diarthrodial joint.
Latin	capsulae articulares
Gray's	subject #68 282

An articular capsule (or joint capsule) is an envelope surrounding a synovial joint.^[1]

Layers

Each capsule consists of two layers:

• an outer layer (stratum fibrosum) composed of avascular white fibrous tissue
• an inner layer (stratum synoviale) which is a secreting layer, and is usually described separately as the synovial membrane.

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.

Pathology

Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) is a disorder in which the shoulder capsule becomes inflamed.

Plica Syndrome is a disorder in which the synovial plica becomes inflamed and causes abnormal biomechanics in the knee.

See also

• articular capsule of the humerus
• articular capsule of the knee joint
• capsule of hip joint
• capsule of temporomandibular joint
• atlantoaxial articular capsule
• capsule of atlantooccipital articulation

Additional images

Left clavicle. Inferior surface.

Right hip bone. External surface.

References

External links

• Cross section at UV pelvis/pelvis-e12-15

This article was originally based on an entry from a public domain edition of Gray's Anatomy. As such, some of the information contained herein may be outdated.

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