THE ORIGIN AND NATURE OF NORMAL HUMAN SYNOVIAL FLUID 12

Abstract

On the basis of the findings in 124 normal human synovial fluids, the following characterization was made. Normal human synovial fluid is a relatively cell-poor, clear pale yellow viscous liquid. It has an avg. nucleated cell count of 63 per cu. mm. The relative viscosity is 150 at 25[degree]C. The pH is 7.39. The avg. total albumin and globulin content is 1.72 gs. per 100 cc. The avg. mucin content is 0.85 gs. per 100 cc. Fibrinogen is absent. The distr. of non-electrolytes and electrolytes between serum and fluid is in accord with the concept that synovial fluid is a dialysate of blood plasma containing albumin, globulin and mucin. The presence of mucin distinguishes synovial fluid and similar connective tissue fluids from other body fluids that are dialysates of plasma.