ABSTRACT
Sixty knee joints of 49 autopsies and 10 amputated legs were examined histologically by specimens removed from eight locations. The criteria considered were: configuration of the surface, number of rows of synovial cells, sizes of bodies and nuclei of the synovial cells, position of the blood vessels to the synovial surface, degree of sclerosis both of the subsynovial connective tissue and blood vessels, and infiltrates of inflammatory cells. These parameters were recorded in tables, and 3,600 individual data were statistically evaluated by the aid of a PDP-12-computer. Survey of all findings shows that the age changes of the synovial membrane are relatively slight. With increasing body weight sclerosis of the synovial blood vessels progresses, but these vessels are sometimes spared in generalized arteriosclerosis. The greatest number of individual tissue changes is noted in the fat pad, medial and lateral capsular parts. Thus the synovial membrane of these parts may be regarded prominently reactive and of special value for the diagnosis of synovial changes. Since these parts are easily accessible at routine arthrotomies, they are recommended as the sites for diagnostic biopsies.
