smooth hyaline cartilage. the commonest type of cartilage in the body, hyaline cartilage is strong but compressible. Articular cartilages reduce friction between bones when they move, and absorb shocks during movement to prevent jarring. A capsule surrounding the joint contains fibrous tissue that, aided by ligaments, helps to hold the joint together. Its innermost layer, the synovial membrane, secretes oily synovial fluid into the cavity between the articular cartilages, making them even more slippery, and allowing the joint to move with less friction than two ice cubes sliding the joint . Each allows a different range of movement according to the shape of their articular surfaces