polyarthritis

Simultaneous inflammation of several joints. [poly- + G. arthron, joint, + -itis, inflammation]

- p. chronica obsolete term for rheumatoid arthritis.

- p. chronica villosa a chronic inflammation confined to the synovial membrane, involving a number of joints; it occurs in women at the menopause and in children.

- epidemic p. a mild febrile illness of humans in Australia characterized by polyarthralgia and rash, caused by the Ross River virus, a member of the family Togaviridae, and transmitted by mosquitoes. SYN: epidemic exanthema, Murray Valley rash, Ross River fever.

- p. rheumatica acuta obsolete term for p. associated with rheumatic fever.

- vertebral p. inflammation of a number of the intervertebral disks without involvement of the vertebral bodies.

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poly·ar·thri·tis -är-'thrīt-əs n, pl -thrit·i·des -'thrit-ə-.dēz arthritis involving two or more joints

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n.

disease involving several to many joints, either together or in sequence, causing pain, stiffness, swelling, tenderness, and loss of function. rheumatoid arthritis is the most common cause.

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poly·ar·thri·tis (pol″e-ahr-thriґtis) [poly- + arthr- + -itis] an inflammation of several joints together.