Lexic.us

Definition of Rheumatoid arthritis

1. Noun. 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.

Definition of Rheumatoid arthritis

1. Noun. (pathology) A chronic and progressive disease in which the immune system attacks the joints. It is characterised by pain, inflammation and swelling of the joints, stiffness, weakness, loss of mobility and deformity. Tissues throughout the body can be affected, including the skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs, and muscles. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Medical Definition of Rheumatoid arthritis

1. Chronic inflammatory disease in which there is destruction of joints. Considered by some to be an autoimmune disorder in which immune complexes are formed in joints and excite an inflammatory response (complex mediated hypersensitivity). Cell-mediated (type IV) hypersensitivity also occurs and macrophages accumulate. This in turn leads to the destruction of the synovial lining (see pannus). This entry appears with permission from the Dictionary of Cell and Molecular Biology (11 Mar 2008)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Literary usage of Rheumatoid arthritis

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. The Practitioner by Gale Group, ProQuest Information and Learning Company (1892)
"Dr. Spender asks if this sequence of events does not justify the assumption that what we call rheumatoid arthritis is a far-reaching neurosis. ..."

2. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease by Philadelphia Neurological Society, American Neurological Association, Chicago Neurological Society, New York Neurological Association (1902)
"The aim of this interesting contribution is to uphold the dystro- pic or neural theory of rheumatoid arthritis. The author feels that although it is said to ..."

3. Handbook of Severe Disability: A Text for Rehabilitation Counselors, Other edited by Walter C. Stolov, Michael R. Clowers (2000)
"Advanced or additional educational goals should be a strong consideration both for clients with recent-onset rheumatoid arthritis and those with ..."

4. The American Journal of the Medical Sciences by Southern Society for Clinical Investigation (U.S.) (1890)
"Speaking of rheumatoid arthritis in relation to acute rheumatism, ... Osteo- arthritis is considered as an advanced stage of chronic rheumatoid arthritis, ..."

5. Edinburgh Medical Journal (1904)
"THE following cases of rheumatoid arthritis appear to me to be worthy of note. Many writers, from Spender onwards, have drawn attention to the prominent ..."

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