Medical terms, defined.

Glossitis is inflammation of the tongue, characterized by a smooth, swollen, erythematous appearance due to atrophy of the lingual papillae. It is commonly caused by nutritional deficiencies (B12, folate, iron, niacin), and is a classic...

Eplerenone is a selective aldosterone receptor antagonist (mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist) used in hypertension and heart failure management. Unlike spironolactone, it has minimal antiandrogenic and progestogenic effects, making i...

Superior mesenteric artery (SMA) syndrome is a rare cause of upper intestinal obstruction caused by compression of the third (transverse) portion of the duodenum between the SMA and the aorta due to loss of the intervening mesenteric fat...

Chemokines are small signaling proteins that induce chemotaxis of immune cells toward sites of infection or inflammation. They are classified into subfamilies (CXC, CC, C, CX3C) based on cysteine residue arrangement and bind G-protein co...

Anti-SSA (anti-Ro) is an autoantibody targeting the SSA/Ro ribonucleoprotein, strongly associated with Sjögren syndrome and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). It is clinically critical because of its role in neonatal lupus and congenita...

A malar (butterfly) rash is a classic sign of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), presenting as erythema over the cheeks and nasal bridge, sparing the nasolabial folds. It is photosensitive and often flares with sun exposure.

The malar rash is a classic sign of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), presenting as an erythematous, often raised rash over the cheeks and nasal bridge in a 'butterfly' distribution, characteristically sparing the nasolabial folds. It...

Discoid refers to a disc- or coin-shaped lesion or structure, most commonly used in dermatology (e.g., discoid lupus erythematosus) to describe round, well-demarcated plaques, and in hematology to describe the normal biconcave shape of r...

Discoid rash (discoid lupus erythematosus, DLE) is a chronic, scarring, photosensitive skin eruption characterized by well-demarcated, erythematous, coin-shaped (discoid) plaques with keratotic scaling and follicular plugging. It is one...

Malar refers to the cheek or cheekbone region, specifically the zygomatic area of the face. It is most notably used in describing the 'malar rash' seen in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Sicca syndrome refers to dryness of the eyes (keratoconjunctivitis sicca) and mouth (xerostomia) resulting from decreased lacrimal and salivary gland secretion. It is the hallmark feature of Sjögren syndrome, an autoimmune exocrinopathy,...

Neonatal lupus erythematosus (NLE) is a rare autoimmune syndrome in newborns caused by transplacental passage of maternal anti-Ro/SSA and anti-La/SSB antibodies. Classic features include a photosensitive annular/erythematous skin rash, c...

Milnacipran is a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) FDA-approved for the management of fibromyalgia, but notably not approved for depression in the US. It inhibits reuptake of both serotonin and norepinephrine, with relat...

Anakinra is a recombinant IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, cryopyrin-associated periodic syndromes (CAPS), and other autoinflammatory conditions. It blocks IL-1α and IL-1β signaling by competitively b...

The annular ligament is a fibro-osseous ring that encircles the head of the radius, holding it securely against the radial notch of the ulna and allowing pronation/supination at the proximal radioulnar joint. It is a key stabilizer of th...

Libman-Sacks endocarditis is a form of nonbacterial (sterile) verrucous endocarditis classically associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), particularly in patients with antiphospholipid antibody syndrome. It presents as small,...