rheu·ma·tol·o·gy / ˌroōməˈtäləjē/ • n. Med. the study of rheumatism, arthritis, and other disorders of the joints, muscles, and ligaments.DERIVATIVES: rheu·ma·to·log·i·cal / ˌroōmətlˈäjikəl/ adj.rheu·ma·tol·o·gist / -jist/ n.

rheumatology (room-ă-tol-ŏji) n. the medical specialty concerned with the diagnosis and management of disease involving joints, tendons, muscles, ligaments, and associated structures. See also physical medicine.
—rheumatologist n.