What is synovial sheath of flexor tendons?
Emma Martin
Published Mar 07, 2026
What is synovial sheath of flexor tendons?
Anatomical terminology The common synovial sheath for the flexor tendons or the ulnar bursa is a synovial sheath in the carpal tunnel of the human hand. It contains tendons of the flexor digitorum superficialis and the flexor digitorum profundus, but not the flexor pollicis longus.
Which tendons have a synovial sheath?
The flexor tendons are enclosed by synovial sheaths. In the fibrous flexor sheath both tendons are invested by a common synovial sheath.
What function do tendon sheaths and bursae perform?
It provides a cushion between bones and tendons or muscles around a joint. This helps to reduce friction between the bones and allows for free movement.
Do synovial joints have tendon sheaths?
Synovial joints are made up of five classes of tissues: bone, cartilage, synovium, synovial fluid, and tensile tissues composed of tendons and ligaments. The synovial lining in the bursae and tendon sheaths, similar to that within joints, is a slippery, non-adherent surface allowing movement between planes of tissue.
What is a tendon sheath?
A tendon sheath, which is a thin layer of tissue, surrounds each tendon in the body. The tendon sheath can also be called synovial lining or fibrous sheath. Tendon sheaths help protect tendons from abrasive damage as they move.
What is the function of synovial bursa?
Synovial bursae provide a gliding surface and a cushion for soft tissues as they pass over skeletal prominences and are found over bone and under muscle, tendon, ligament, fascia, or skin.
What are bursae and tendon sheaths?
Bursae are flat fibrous sacs that have synovial membranes lining them. They contain a thin film of synovial fluid and are located where bones, ligaments, muscles, skin, or tendons rub together. A tendon sheath can be understood as a lengthened bursae wrapping totally around a tendon that is subjected to friction.
What is a tendon sheath injection?
Tendon sheath injections are suggested when the tissues around a tendon are painful, swollen or difficult to move. Tendon sheath injections on their own are unlikely to offer a cure, but can be helpful alongside other treatments such as physiotherapy, splinting and other longer term medicines.
What is tendon sheaths and bursae?
They are often located within sheaths, which are lubricated to allow the tendons to move without friction. Bursae are small fluid-filled sacs that can lie under a tendon, cushioning the tendon and protecting it from injury.
What’s the difference between bursae and tendon sheath?
Bursae are flattened fibrous sacs wedged between adjacent structures, while tendon sheaths are elongated fibrous sacs that wrap around tendons.
How does a tendon sheath differ from a bursa?
How does a tendon sheath differ from a bursa? A tendon sheath is a fibrous connective tissue bag surrounding a tendon, while a bursa is a fluid-filled synovial sac which cushions the tendon.
What is a tendon sheath in the hand?
The tendon sheaths in the human hand work as a series of elastic pulleys to help transmit forces from the muscles to the joints, as the tendon sheaths can flatten down when the finger straightens and bulge out when the finger bends.