Rheumatic Disorders Overview

Flashcards on key vocabulary related to rheumatic disorders, focusing on definitions of important terms and concepts.

Rheumatic Disorders

The most common disabling musculoskeletal disorder in the U.S., affecting around 46 million people.

Osteoarthritis

The most common arthritis globally, characterized by the degeneration of joint cartilage and underlying bone.

Chondrocytes

Cells found in cartilage that play a key role in maintaining the matrix structure and integrity of cartilage.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

A systemic autoimmune inflammatory disease that primarily affects the synovial membranes and leads to cartilage and bone destruction.

Hyperuricemia

An elevated level of uric acid in the blood, which can lead to gout.

Pannus formation

An abnormal tissue growth that erodes and destroys articular cartilage in rheumatoid arthritis.

Joint effusion

Accumulation of excess fluid in or around a joint, often associated with inflammatory conditions.

Tophi

Groups of uric acid crystals that form under the skin in chronic gout.

Acetaminophen

A medication used to reduce pain in osteoarthritis, functioning as a pain reliever.

COX-2 inhibitors

A class of drugs (e.g., Celebrex) that specifically inhibit the cyclooxygenase-2 enzyme to reduce inflammation and pain with fewer gastrointestinal side effects.