Glossary of Terms

A one-celled organism without a true nucleus or cell organelles, belonging to the kingdom Procaryotae (Monera). The cytoplasm is...

A type of white blood cell that makes antibodies. B lymphocytes are part of the immune system and develop...

B cells are essential for the development and pathogenesis of both systemic and organ-specific autoimmune diseases. Autoreactive B cells...

The body's tolerance of the antigens present on its own cells, i.e., autoantigens or self-antigens. It is theorized that...

Disease that results when the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own tissues. Examples include multiple sclerosis, type 1...

An antibody, produced by B cells in response to an altered autoantigen on one type of the body's own...

Atherosclerosis is when fats and cholesterol (plaque) builds up along the inside wall lining your arteries. Arteries are blood...

Aseptic meningitis is a disease caused by the inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord...

Articular cartilage is the highly specialized connective tissue of diarthrodial joints. Its principal function is to provide a smooth,...

Surgery to reshape, reconstruct, or replace a diseased or damaged joint. This may be done to alleviate pain, to...

Arthritis is inflammation of one or more joints and it involves the breakdown of cartilage. Cartilage normally protects a...

Pain in the joint. Source: NIH.gov