arthritis

arthritis definition - medical

ar·thri·tis (är-thrīˈtĭs)

noun pl. ar·thrit·i·des (-thrĭtˈĭ-dēzˌ)
Inflammation of a joint, usually accompanied by pain, swelling, and stiffness, resulting from infection, trauma, degenerative changes, metabolic disturbances, or other causes.

Related Forms:

  • ar·thritˈic (-thrĭtˈĭk) adjective & n.

Related Forms:

  • ar·thritˈi·cal·ly adverb

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arthritis

Top: normal finger joint

Bottom: arthritic finger joint

The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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