A 60-year-old woman with arthritis suffers a massive stroke and expires. At autopsy, the proximal phalangeal joint tissue shows pannus, synovial cell hyperplasia, and lymphoid follicles. Which of the following best describes the pathogenesis of pannus formation in this patient?
Correct Answer: Chronic inflammation of synovium
Description: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic, chronic inflammatory disease in which chronic polyarthritis involves diarthrodial joints symmetrically and bilaterally. Synovial lining cells undergo hyperplasia. The result is a synovial lining thrown into numerous villi and frond-like folds that fill the peripheral recesses of the joint. As the synovium undergoes hyperplasia and hypertrophy, it creeps over the surface of the articular cartilage and adjacent structures. This inflammatory synovium is termed a pannus (cloak). The pannus covers the articular cartilage and isolates it from the synovial fluid. Synovial calcification (choice A) does not occur in RA. Pannus may destroy cartilage (choice C) by depriving it of nourishment.Diagnosis: Rheumatoid arthritis
Category:
Pathology
Get More
Subject Mock Tests
Practice with over 200,000 questions from various medical subjects and improve your knowledge.
Attempt a mock test nowMock Exam
Take an exam with 100 random questions selected from all subjects to test your knowledge.
Coming SoonGet More
Subject Mock Tests
Try practicing mock tests with over 200,000 questions from various medical subjects.
Attempt a mock test now