Pannus
Pronunciation (pan′ŭs, pan′ī)
The inflammatory synovial tissue found in rheumatoid joints that covers the articular cartilages that progressively destroys the underlying articular cartilages; also found in other chronic granulomatous disease, including tuberculosis.
The cornea in trachoma.
See also: corneal pannus
[L. cloth]
Pannus is a medical term for an abnormal layer of fibrovascular tissue or granulation tissue. Common sites for pannus formation include over the cornea, over a joint surface (as seen in rheumatoid arthritis), or on a prosthetic heart valve. Pannus may grow in a tumor-like fashion, as in joints where it may erode articular cartilage and bone.
The term pannus is often used incorrectly to refer to a panniculus (a hanging flap of tissue), though pannus can also refer to panniculus adiposus.
