APA Dictionary of Psychology

n. inflammation of an artery or arteries. A common form is temporal (or giant cell) arteritis, a chronic disease, usually in older people, that largely involves the carotid arterial system, especially the arteries of the temple and scalp. It is marked by the appearance of giant, multinucleate cells and granulomas in the affected arteries. Symptoms include severe temporal-area headaches on both sides and visual disturbances, which may result in loss of sight in one eye. See also panarteritis.