Glossary

Arthritis - Inflammation of a joint or joints, resulting in pain and swelling. Also called articular rheumatism. May be used to generally refer to noninfectious inflammation of the joint.

Carpal joint - Any of the joints between the carpal bones.

Cartilage - A tough, elastic, fibrous connective tissue that is a major constituent of embryonic and young vertebrate skeletons, and is found in various parts of the body, such as the joints.

Cannula - A flexible tube, usually containing a trocar at one end, that is inserted into a body cavity, duct or vessel to drain fluid or administer medicine.

Chondrocyte - A connective tissue cell that occupies the space within the cartilage matrix. Also called cartilage cell.

Coffin joint - The joint at the level of the coronary band on the horse.

Collagen - The fibrous protein constituent of bone, cartilage, tendon and other connective tissue.

Collagen synthesis - The formation of new collagen.

Conformation - For animals, this describes the relationships between individual parts of the physical structure. These relationships can affect the mechanical strain placed on certain parts, especially the joints.

Corticosteroid - Potent anti-inflammatory agent that inhibits inflammatory processes at virtually all levels. The major effect is to reduce swelling by restricting movement of inflammatory cells into a site of inflammation. Deleterious effects have generally been associated with high doses or frequent administration.

Daltons - A unit of mass equal to 1/12 the mass of an atom of carbon 12, which is assigned a mass of 12. Also called atomic mass unit (AMU).

Effusion - The escape of fluid from the blood vessels or lymphatics into the tissues or a cavity. Can also refer to the escaped fluid.

Elastic - Capable of returning to its original length, shape, etc., after being stretched, deformed or expanded.

Electrogoniometry - A technique for measuring joint range of motion using an electronic goniometer (optical instrument that measures angles).

Electrolytes - Any of the various ions, such as sodium or chloride, required by cells to regulate the electric charge and flow of water molecules across the cell membrane.

Flexion - The act of bending a joint or limb. Can also refer to the condition of being bent.

Fetlock - The joint between the cannon bone and great pastern bone. A projection at the back of the leg above the hoof.

Fibrocytes - Cells of fibrous tissue.

Free radical - An uncharged atom or group of atoms having at least one unpaired electron, which makes it highly reactive. An organic compound having some paired valence electrons; a normal byproduct of oxidation reactions in metabolism.

Glucose - A monosaccharide sugar in the blood that serves as the major source of energy for the body.

Hock joint - The joint in the hind leg of a horse or cow above the fetlock joint, corresponding anatomically to the ankle in a person.

High molecular weight - Molecular weight is the sum of the atomic weights of all the atoms in a molecule. For substances such as sodium hyaluronate, the molecular weight has direct relationship to its ability to function in the body. Sodium hyaluronate between 3 and 5 million daltons is found naturally in the body.

Hyaluronate synthesis - The formation of a new chemical compound involving a salt or ester of hyaluronic acid by the synoviocytes.

Joint capsule - Fibrous tissue that both connects the bones of the joint and serves to contain the joint fluid.

Leukocyte - White blood cell.

Monosaccharide - A sugar that cannot be decomposed to simpler sugars by hydrolysis. Also called simple sugar.

Noninfectious inflammation - An inflammation that is not caused by an infectious agent.

Palpation - Examination of an area by feeling and pressing with the palms of the hands or fingers.

Pastern - The part of a horse, cow, etc., between the fetlock and the hoof.

Plasma - The clear, yellowish portion of blood, lymph or intramuscular fluid in which cells are suspended.

Polysaccharide - A carbohydrate or sugar, such as starch and cellulose, that can be decomposed by hydrolysis into two or more monosaccharide molecules.

Proteolysis - The breakdown of proteins into simpler, soluble substances, as occurs in digestion.

Radiograph - An image produced by exposing a sensitive surface, such as photographic film, to radiation other than visible light, such as X-rays.

Sodium hyaluronate - A mucopolysaccharide that is found in spaces around tissue, in the synovial fluid of the joints and the vitreous humor of the eyes. Acts as a binding, lubricating and protective agent. Also known as hyaluronic acid.

Stifle - The joint between the femur and the tibia; corresponds anatomically to the human knee.

Synergistic - Having the capacity to achieve results using two agents together that are greater than if the same two agents had been used separately.

Synovia - Synonymous with synovial fluid.

Synovial fluid - A clear, lubricating fluid secreted by the synovial membrane in joint cavities, tendon sheaths and bursae.

Synovial membrane - The connective-tissue membrane that lines the cavity of a joint and produces synovial fluid.

Synoviocytes - Cells of the synovial tissue.

Synovitis - Inflammation of the synovial membrane.

Tibiotarsal - Of, or pertaining to, both the tibia and the tarsal bones in the leg of the horse, cow, etc.

Viscous - Of a glutinous nature or consistency; sticky, thick; adhesive.

Viscoelasticity - The measure of the extent to which a fluid is both viscous and elastic.

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