The META Scholar Volume 7 | Page 36

Now we must understand the developmental propagating disease process of RA. Our story begins with the synovium, which is an armoring membranous sac encompassing a joint. Inside this membranous sac resides a lubricating liquid termed synovial fluid. “In addition to cushioning joints, this fluid supplies nutrients and oxygen to cartilage, a slippery tissue that coats the ends of bones.” Cartilage is mostly made of collagen, which is the structural protein of the body. It forms a mesh that gives rise to the characteristics of articulating flexibility and support. During RA, immune system abnormal responses manufacture destructive molecules that cause unceasing inflammation of the synovium. Bringing about the destruction of collagen, which in turn narrows the joint space, and with time—eroding bone. There exists a form of RA termed progressive rheumatoid arthritis, where the breaking down of cartilage undertakes acceleration. Ensuing immune system cells and excess fluid to collect in the synovium, producing what’s called a pannus, “a growth composed of thickened synovial tissue.” Enzymes are produced by the pannus that attack and destroy proximal cartilage, provoking the surrounding area calling even more inflammatory white cells, which further perpetuates the cycle. The following reading will be the examination and critical interpretation of Rheumatoid Arthritis through the normal anatomy and physiology effected by RA and normal operation of the medical device(s) used in diagnoses. General Anatomy and Physiology Rheumatoid arthritis primarily effects joints/articulations, so this will be the focus of this section. There are three types of joints (fibrous, cartilaginous, and synovial), because RA primarily effects synovial joints; that is the one we will more deeply understand. First let’s define what a joint is. (Keith, M. L. & others, 2015). “A joint is an articulation, or the place of union or junction, between two or more rigid components (bones, cartilages, or even p