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antigen-antibody reaction--- interaction between a foreign substance (antigen) and the body’s defensive proteins (antibodies). antioxidant--- substance that inhibits the chemical addition of oxygen to another substance. coffin bone (pedal bone)---major bone within the hoof, shaped like a miniature hoof. corneal ulcers (ulcerative keratitis)--disruptions or sores in the transparent outer membrane of the eye caused by trauma, infection or disease; usually accompanied by inflammation. deep digital flexor tendon--- tendon connecting the deep muscles at the back of the forearm and gaskin to the coffin bone in the foot. digital cushion--- firm, spongy, wedge-shaped tissue mass filling the area between the frog and the deep digital flexor tendon. DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)---large organic molecule that consists of two chains of nucleotides wound around each other; the material of which genes are made. Genes are responsible for the individual inherited characteristics of living organisms. enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)---test for small amounts of antibody in body fluid and/or tissue. equine metabolic syndrome (EMS)--endocrine disorder characterized by increased fat deposits in specific locations of the body or overall obesity; insulin resistance, which leads to abnormally high levels of the hormone circulating in the bloodstream; and a predisposition toward laminitis in the absence of other recognized causes. glucosamine--- a building block of chondroitin sulfate, a component of cartilage, as well as hyaluronic acid, a component of synovial fluid. hyaluronic acid (HA)---molecule that forms the basis of the lubricating fluid within joints as well as connective tissues throughout the body. insulin resistance--- metabolic disorder, similar to type 2 diabetes, that occurs when certain cells in the body become less sensitive to the action of insulin, and normal amounts of the hormone can no longer keep adequate amounts of glucose moving into the cells for use as fuel. keratin--- insoluble protein containing sulfur; the main ingredient of hair and hoof horn. laminitis--- inflammation of the sensitive plates of soft tissue (laminae) within the horse’s foot caused by physical or physiologic injury. Severe cases of laminitis may result in founder, an internal deformity of the foot. Acute laminitis sets in rapidly and usually responds to appropriate, intensive treatment, while chronic laminitis is a persistent, long-term condition that may be unresponsive to treatment. MSM (methylsulfonylmethane)---sulfurcontaining oral preparation that is a chemical fraction of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), an organic substance with anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and analgesic properties; popular in the management of athletic pain. navicular bone--- small, boat-shaped bone located behind the coffin joint in the hoof; maintains the angle at which the deep flexor tendon attaches to the coffin bone. nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)---drug that contains no steroids and acts to reduce heat and swelling. palpebral--- relating to the eyelids. parturition--- process of birth, including labor and delivery. phalanges--- term referring to three bones of the horse’s foot: 1. long pastern bone (“first phalanx”); 2. short pastern bone (“second phalanx”); 3. coffin bone (“third phalanx”). pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID, previously known as Cushing’s disease) ---disease caused when the cortex of the adrenal gland produces excessive amounts of hormones, including cortisol; signs include persistent long hair, thin skin, fragile bones, stupor, weakness and sweating. polymerase chain reaction (PCR)---a technique used to “amplify” segments of DNA. PCR is used in many laboratory or clinical procedures including gene mapping, DNA fingerprinting and the detection of viruses and bacteria. protein--- large molecule composed of one or more chains of amino acids in a specific order. Proteins are required for the structure, function and regulation of the body’s cells, tissues and organs, and each protein has unique functions. Simple proteins consist only of amino acids. Conjugated proteins consist of amino acids joined to other complex molecules. Derived proteins are the products of chemical changes to other proteins.