What is the medical term for a surgical incision into the synovial cavity of a joint?

The surgical incision into the synovial cavity of a joint is specifically referred to as "arthrotomy." This term breaks down into its Greek roots: "arthro-" meaning joint, and "-tomy" meaning to cut or incision. An arthrotomy allows direct access to the joint for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes, such as removing debris, fixing injuries, or performing other procedures inside the joint capsule.

The other terms refer to different procedures related to joints but do not involve a direct surgical incision into the synovial cavity. For example, "arthroplasty" refers to the surgical reconstruction or replacement of a joint. "Arthroscopy" is a minimally invasive procedure that uses an arthroscope to view the inside of a joint without making a large incision, while "arthrolysis" involves the surgical loosening of a stiff joint, often to increase its range of motion. Each of these procedures has its distinct purpose and method, but none directly describes the act of making an incision into the synovial cavity as clearly as arthrotomy does.