Which term describes pain in the joints?

The term that describes pain in the joints is "arthralgia." This medical term specifically refers to joint pain and does not imply the underlying condition that may be causing that pain. It is a descriptive term used in clinical settings to indicate a symptom without specifying the cause, which could range from inflammation, injury, infection, to other diseases.

In contrast, "arthritis" refers to inflammation of the joints, which may or may not be accompanied by pain. "Osteoarthritis" is a type of arthritis characterized specifically by the degeneration of joint cartilage and underlying bone, while “sciatica” refers to pain that follows the path of the sciatic nerve, which typically does not involve the joints but rather the lower back and legs. Therefore, arthralgia is the most accurate choice as it directly translates to joint pain.