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Rheumatoid Arthritis Glossary

Terms used to explain Rheumatoid Arthritis can sometimes be confusing. To help you fully understand the articles and features related to this very important health topic, we have compiled a glossary of terms that can help.

Arthritis

ar*thri*tis
Pronunciation: \är-ˈthrīt-əs\

Function: noun
pl -thrit*i*des
Pronunciation: \-ˈthrit-ə-ˌdēz\
: inflammation of joints due to infectious, metabolic, or constitutional causes; also: a specific arthritic condition (as gouty arthritis or psoriatic arthritis)

Bursitis

bur*si*tis
Pronunciation: \(ˌ)bər-ˈsīt-əs\

Function: noun
: inflammation of a bursa (as of the shoulder or elbow)

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

carpal tunnel syndrome
Function: noun
: a condition caused by compression of the median nerve in the carpal tunnel and characterized esp. by weakness, pain, and disturbances of sensation in the hand and fingers abbr. CTS

Erythrocyte

eryth*ro*cyte
Pronunciation: \i-ˈrith-rə-ˌsīt\

Function: noun
: see: red blood cell

Fibromyalgia

fi*bro*my*al*gia
Pronunciation: \ˌfī-(ˌ)brō-ˌmī-ˈal-j(ē-)ə\
Function: noun
1: a chronic disorder characterized by widespread pain, tenderness, and stiffness of muscles and associated connective tissue structures that is typically accompanied by fatigue, headache, and sleep disturbances —called also fibromyalgia syndrome, fibromyositis

Lupus

lu*pus
Pronunciation: \ˈlü-pəs\
Function: noun
1: any of several diseases (as lupus vulgaris or systemic lupus erythematosus) characterized by skin lesions

Musculoskeletal

mus*cu*lo*skel*e*tal
Pronunciation: \ˌməs-kyə-lō-ˈskel-ət-^əl\

Function: adjective
: of, relating to, or involving both musculature and skeleton <musculoskeletal defects> <the musculoskeletal organization of the arm>

Myositis

myo*si*tis
Pronunciation: \ˌmī-ə-ˈsīt-əs\

Function: noun
: muscular discomfort or pain from infection or an unknown cause

Osteophyte

os*teo*phyte
Pronunciation: \ˈäs-tē-ə-ˌfīt\

Function: noun
: a pathological bony outgrowth

Osteoporosis

os*teo*po*ro*sis

Function: noun
pl -ro*ses

: a condition that affects esp. older women and is characterized by decrease in bone mass with decreased density and enlargement of bone spaces producing porosity and brittleness

Paresthesia

par*es*the*sia
Function: noun
: a sensation of pricking, tingling, or creeping on the skin having no objective cause and usu. associated with injury or irritation of a sensory nerve or nerve root

Psoriatic Arthritis

psoriatic arthritis
Function: noun
: a severe form of arthritis accompanied by inflammation, psoriasis of the skin or nails, and a negative test for rheumatoid factor —called also psoriasis arthropathica

Learn more: What is Psoriatic Arthritis?

Reactive Arthritis

reactive arthritis
Function: noun
: acute arthritis that sometimes develops following a bacterial infection (as with the bacteria of the genera Shigella, Salmonella, or Chlamydia)

Rheumatism

rheu*ma*tism
Pronunciation: \ˈrü-mə-ˌtiz-əm, ˈrum-ə-\

Function: noun

1: any of various conditions characterized by inflammation or pain in muscles, joints, or fibrous tissue <muscular rheumatism>
2: see: rheumatoid arthritis

Tendinitis

ten*di*ni*tis
Function: noun
: inflammation of a tendon

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