Distribution of Synovial Cells in Rabbit Knee Joint

Ihn, Joo Chul; Kim, Sam Uel

Abstract

An ultrastructral study was carried out to investigate distributional character of various synovial cells in different aress of synovial membrane of rabbit knee joints. Synovial membranes were surgically obtained from both knee joints of 5 rabbits, and were observed by both light and electron micrescopies. Type A synovial cells were distributed msinly on the luminal surface of the synovial membrane but type B cells were mostly in deep stromal areas. B cells were more than A cells in over-all numbers. Cellular density was found different sccording to the areas observed. Generally mid-central areas of the synovial membrane were less cellular than peripheral areas (medisl, lateral, upper and lower aress). Differences of cellular populations and cellular densities in various areas of rabbit synovial membranes were considered to be closely related to underlying structures and function of individual cell types.