| any of a group of diseases, as systemic lupus erythematosus, polyarteritis, scleroderma, and rheumatoid arthritis, involving inflammation or degeneration of connective tissue and accompanied by deposition of fibrinous material. |
collagen disease or collagen-vascular disease
n.
Any of a group of diseases affecting connective tissue and often characterized by fibrinoid necrosis or vasculitis and including such diseases as lupus erythematosus, progressive systemic sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, rheumatic fever, polyarteritis nodosa, and dermatomyositis. Also called collagenosis.
