Joint capsule

A joint capsule surrounds the bones of a joint. A joint capsule consists of an inner and an outer layer. Both layers are attached to the bones that form the joint.

We find joint capsules around, among others, the joints of the shoulder, elbow, wrist, ankle, knee, and hip. But also in the joints of the spine, the ribs, and the fingers.

The joint capsule is very thin in some places. In other places, the capsule is very strong and thick. These reinforcements are called ligaments (ligaments).

The inner layer of the joint capsule contains many blood vessels. These are important for the production of synovial fluid (synoviaal vocht).

In mainly larger joints, tendons that run over the joint have extensions into the joint capsule. These ensure that the capsule does not get caught between the joint surfaces. If the entire tendon continues into the joint capsule, as in the shoulder, the tendon plays an important role in movements that occur in the joint.

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