Noun: rheumatoid arthritis 'roo-mu,toyd aa(r)'thrI-tus
- A chronic autoimmune disease with inflammation of the joints and marked deformities; something (possibly a virus) triggers an attack on the synovium by the immune system, which releases cytokines that stimulate an inflammatory reaction that can lead to the destruction of all components of the joint
"The patient's rheumatoid arthritis caused severe pain and swelling in her hands";
- atrophic arthritis, rheumatism
Type of: arthritis, autoimmune disease, autoimmune disorder
Encyclopedia: Rheumatoid arthritis