Joint cartilage

The cartilage on the ends of bones creates a smooth surface that reduces friction between the bones during movement. In a healthy joint, cartilage is continuously renewed, but this requires the right building blocks and a certain amount of load on the joint. Cartilage is composed of cells, primarily various types of chondrocytes. The outermost layer of cartilage largely consists of collagen and oval cartilage cells. Cartilage lacks a direct blood supply and instead receives nutrients from the joint fluid.

In young animals, cartilage metabolism is active, allowing it to renew and maintain good condition, provided extreme wear does not occur. However, cartilage regeneration slows down in older animals.

Joint capsule 

The joint capsule encloses the entire joint and is connected to nerves and blood vessels, allowing it to deliver nutrients to the joint fluid and joint. Inside the capsule is a synovial membrane, a tissue containing two types of cells: Type A and Type B synoviocytes. Type B cells are primarily responsible for producing hyaluronic acid and collagen.

Collagen plays a key role in forming fibrils, which provide cartilage with stability, rigidity, and the ability to resist tension. Collagen fibrils act like reinforcement bars in the cartilage. Collagen is also a component of the tendons, ligaments, and muscles surrounding the joint, providing it with stability.

Joint fluid

Joint fluid, or synovial fluid, is a yellowish, viscous liquid whose primary role is to lubricate the joint and reduce friction. The fluid also nourishes cartilage by delivering nutrients such as sugars, electrolytes, enzymes, and hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is present both within the cartilage and freely in the joint fluid. It gives the joint fluid its shock-absorbing properties by attracting water and increasing the fluid’s viscosity (thickness).

Ligament

Ligaments are connective tissue structures that extend from one bone to another, across a joint. They contribute to joint stability and ensure that the joint moves in the intended direction. Ligaments are composed primarily of the proteins collagen and elastin.

Collagen provides strength, while elastin allows flexibility. Ligaments have a direct blood supply, providing the nutrients they need. An example of a ligament is the suspensory ligament.

Tendons

Tendons are also part of the joint complex. All muscles attach to the skeleton through muscle attachments, which transition into tendons. Some tendons are long and thin, while others are short connections between muscle and bone. It is thanks to tendons and the muscles they attach to that movement and joint motion are possible.

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