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antibodies: Proteins produced by white blood cells to fight viruses, bacteria, and other foreign invaders.

antigen: A foreign protein or carbohydrate complex that causes an immune response.

articular cartilage: Tough, rubbery tissue that forms the surface of bones within joints.

autoimmune disease: A condition caused when an individual's immune system reacts against his or her own organs and tissues.

bursitis: Inflammation of the bursae, fluid-filled sacs that ease friction between tendons and bones (and tendons and ligaments), causing swelling and pain.

cartilaginous joint: A joint that contains a tough cartilage plate that permits slight movement.

collagen: The main structural protein in connective tissue.

connective tissue: The material that holds various body structures together; cartilage, tendons, ligaments, and blood vessels are composed entirely of connective tissue.

cytokines: Messenger molecules that allow cells to communicate and alter one another's function.

diathermy: Physical therapy using high-frequency electric current, ultrasound, or microwaves to deliver heat to muscles and ligaments.

elastin: Stretchable protein found in connective tissue.

enthesis: A site where ligaments or tendons attach to bone; plural is entheses.

enzyme: A protein that regulates chemical changes in other substances.

fixed joint: Fibrous tissue connecting the plates of the skull.

gout: Arthritis caused by uric acid crystals.

Heberden's node: A bony growth on the joint nearest the fingertip, caused by osteoarthritis.

human leukocyte antigen (HLA) complex: A type of receptor on cells involved in recognizing foreign antigens; these receptors are genetically determined, and some are associated with different types of arthritis.

inflammation: A response to injury or foreign invasion designed to protect the body; the symptoms are heat, redness, swelling, and pain.

ligament: Fibrous tissue connecting bones and cartilage.

Lyme disease: An infectious disease transmitted by a tick bite; characterized by rash, flulike symptoms, and inflammation of the heart, nerves, and joints.

lymphocyte: A type of white blood cell. B lymphocytes produce antibodies. T lymphocytes destroy abnormal cells and interact with B lymphocytes.

psoriasis: A common skin disease characterized by thickened patches of inflamed red skin; sometimes accompanied by painful joint swelling and stiffness.

reactive arthritis: Joint problems triggered by bacterial or viral infection elsewhere in the body.

rheumatic disease: Any one of over 100 disorders that cause inflammation in connective tissues.

rheumatoid factor: An antibody found in about 85% of people with rheumatoid arthritis; also appears in other diseases and sometimes in healthy people.

rheumatology: The branch of medicine devoted to the study and treatment of connective tissue diseases.

scleroderma: An autoimmune disease in which the skin thickens and hardens; sometimes other parts of the body are affected, and joint pain may result.

synovial joint: The most mobile type of joint; found in the shoulders, wrists, fingers, hips, etc.

synovitis: Inflammation of the synovium.

synovium: A thin membrane lining joint capsules that produces synovial fluid.

tendon: A tough, fibrous band of tissue that attaches muscle to bone.

tendonitis: Inflammation of a tendon, usually caused by injury, which may restrict movement of the muscle attached to the tendon.

urethritis: Inflammation of the urethra.

vasculitis: Inflammation of blood vessels.

Source: from Harvard Health Publications, Copyright © 2008 Harvard University. All rights reserved. Harvard Medical School does not endorse products.
Used with permission of StayWell.
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