Table 1.
Key tissues and tissue interfaces of biological importance, and states of disease or injury associated with poor biotribological function.
| Bodily site | Tissue/Tissue interface | Native lubricant | Contributing macromolecules/molecules |
Common diseases and injuries |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eye (2.1)a | Eyelid—cornea | Tear film | Mucins, lipids | Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (dry eye) |
| Mouth (2.2) | Tongue—inner mouth | Saliva | Mucins | Xerostomia (dry mouth) |
| Gastrointestinal tract (2.3) |
Intestine—stool | Mucosal secretions, fats | Mucins, lipids | Intestinal dryness |
| Abdomen system (2.3) |
Abdominal organ—surrounding tissue, tendon—surrounding tissue | Mucosal secretions |
Mucins | Post-surgical (including peritendinous) adhesions |
| Reproductive system (2.4) |
Vagina—penis | Mucosal secretions |
Mucins | Vaginal dryness |
| Excretory system (2.5) |
Urethra—biomaterial, vascular lumen—biomaterial | - | − | Catheter-induced trauma, guidewire-induced trauma; urinary incontinence |
| Synovial joint (2.6) |
Articular cartilage—articular cartilage | Synovial fluid | HA, lubricin, phospholipids | Osteoarthritis |
| Skin & hair (2.7) | Dermis, Hair-hair | (Dry lubrication) | Atrophic cells and cellula debris; Keratin |
Xeroderma (dry skin); chronic wounds; Dry/ damaged hair |
a
Section heading within manuscript.