rheumatoid arthritis

/ˌˈruməˈtɔɪd ɑrˌθraɪdɪs/

/ˈrumətɔɪd ɑθˈraɪtɪs/

Definitions 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
   synonyms: atrophic arthritis, rheumatism

   types:

   psoriatic arthritis

   a form of rheumatoid arthritis usually affecting fingers and toes and associated with psoriasis

   Still's disease, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis

   a form of rheumatoid arthritis that affects children; large joints become inflamed and bone growth may be retarded

   type of:

   arthritis

   inflammation of a joint or joints

   autoimmune disease, autoimmune disorder

   any of a large group of diseases characterized by abnormal functioning of the immune system that causes your immune system to produce antibodies against your own tissues