Meaning of RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Pronunciation:			'roomu`toyd âr'thrItis
WordNet Dictionary
	Definition:		[n]  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
	See Also:		arthritis, autoimmune disease, autoimmune disorder, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, Still's disease
Biology Dictionary
	Definition:		Rheumatoid arthritis is symmetrical (occuring in the same joint on both sides of the body) erosive (joint-destroying) polyarthritis (arthritis in several joints) with positive rheumatoid factor.