inflammation of one or more arteries. A common form is temporal (or giant cell) arthritis, a chronic disease affecting older individuals, that largely involves the carotid arterial system – especially the arteries inherent in the temple and scalp. It is usually marked by the appearance of giant, multinudeate cells in the affected arteries. Symptoms include severe temporal-area headaches on both sides and less commonly, visual disturbances – which may result in loss of sight in one eye. See also panarteritis.
ARTERITIS: “The person with arteritis was discovered to have inflammation in some of his or her arteries, which led to headaches and sight disturbances.”