RHEUMATOID Meaning and
Definition
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Rheumatoid is an adjective that refers to a specific type of autoimmune disorder known as rheumatoid arthritis (RA). It is derived from the word "rheumatism," which refers to any pain or inflammation within the joints, muscles, or other parts of the body. In this sense, "rheumatoid" describes the characteristic features or attributes associated with rheumatoid arthritis.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic condition where the immune system mistakenly attacks the synovial membrane, a thin layer of tissue that lines the joints. This results in joint inflammation, causing pain, stiffness, swelling, and eventually joint deformity. Rheumatoid arthritis often affects multiple joints simultaneously, and also commonly affects other parts of the body like the lungs, skin, and eyes.
The term "rheumatoid" is primarily used in the medical field to distinguish this specific type of arthritis from other forms, such as osteoarthritis or psoriatic arthritis. It signifies the presence of inflammation within the joints caused by an autoimmune response, as opposed to other arthritis types that may result from mechanical wear and tear or other factors.
Overall, when something is described as "rheumatoid," it pertains to the characteristics, symptoms, or effects associated with rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disorder primarily affecting the joints.
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Resembling rheumatism in one or more features.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
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Other Common Misspellings for RHEUMATOID
Etymology of RHEUMATOID
The word "rheumatoid" is derived from the Greek terms "rheuma", meaning "a flowing or a stream", and "oides", meaning "resembling or like". In medical context, "rheumatoid" refers to a chronic autoimmune disease that primarily affects the joints, causing inflammation and pain. The term was first used in English in the mid-19th century.
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