Final answer:
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory disorder that affects the synovial joints of the hands, feet, and cervical spine. It is an autoimmune disease where the body's immune system attacks healthy tissue. Symptoms include joint inflammation, pain, and joint deformation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory disorder that primarily affects the synovial joints of the hands, feet, and cervical spine. Affected joints become swollen, stiff, and painful. RA is an autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue.
Immune cells from the blood enter joints and the synovium causing cartilage breakdown, swelling, and inflammation of the joint lining. Breakdown of cartilage causes bones to rub against each other, causing pain. Common symptoms of RA include joint inflammation, pain, and joint deformation.