Temporal Arteritis (GCA) affects what size blood vessels?

Temporal Arteritis, also known as Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA), is a type of vasculitis that primarily affects medium and large blood vessels. The condition typically involves the branches of the carotid artery, including the temporal artery, which is where it gets its name. These blood vessels are large enough to carry significant amounts of blood, and their involvement can lead to severe complications, including vision loss due to ischemia.

The significance of affecting medium and large vessels lies in the clinical manifestations that can occur, such as headaches, jaw claudication, and scalp tenderness, as well as systemic symptoms like fever and fatigue. These signs indicate the inflammation and potential occlusion of the vessels, which is critical for understanding the disease's impact.

In contrast, small vessels or capillaries are not primarily involved in GCA, which is why options focusing exclusively on those vessel types do not represent the condition accurately. The involvement of large and medium vessels aligns with the known pathophysiology of the disease, where inflammation can lead to significant complications if not treated promptly.