Granville A. Bennett

THE ORIGIN AND NATURE OF NORMAL SYNOVIAL FLUID

The physical and chemical properties of normal synovial fluid have never been well established. In consequence there exists no uniformity of opinion concerning its mode of formation. If we possessed information concerning the origin and nature of normal synovial fluid, we would be in a position to interpret more correctly the abnormalities encountered in pathological joint effusions and to determine their diagnostic significance. Information of this type should also increase our knowledge of the factors involved in the production and maintenance of joint effusions. In 1691, Havers (62), on the basis of histological examinations, concluded that synovial fluid was a secretion from synovial membrane glands. Since then various descriptions of synovial fluid and theories concerning its origin have appeared. This lack of agreement is readily explained if one examines the data upon which the various theories are based. Some of them are based solely on histological studies. Others represent conclusions drawn from chemical analyses of pathological synovial fluids. The data on pathological fluids, many of which are incomplete, vary markedly and are difficult to interpret without knowledge of the normal and a better understanding of the factors responsible for the formation of pathological fluids. The existing data pertaining to normal synovial fluid are very meagre, except for complete cytological studies (6, 73, 122). The various theories proposed and the data on which they are based are presented in brief. 1. That synovial fluid is the secretory product of synovial membrane cells or glands. This theory, originally proposed by Havers (62) and supported by many subsequent workers (4, 11,

AN ARTICLE CONTRIBUTED TO AN ANNIVERSARY VOLUME IN HONOR OF DOCTOR JOSEPH HERSEY PRATT: A RARE MANIFESTATION OF GOUT; WIDESPREAD ANKYLOSIS SIMULATING RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Excerpt Ankylosis may occur in gout. Such ankylosis results because of monosodium urate deposits in the articular tissues. The presence or absence of ankylosis in gout is dependent upon the extent ...

COMPARISON OF THE PATHOLOGY OF RHEUMATIC FEVER AND RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Excerpt The present observations are based on the findings in 150 surgically treated and 48 and 101 autopsied cases of rheumatoid arthritis and rheumatic fever subjects, respectively. This material...