Medical Profession Vocabulary

Identification of a disease or condition from symptoms

“The diagnosis was confirmed through extensive testing.”

Origin: From Greek `diagnosis` (discernment), from `diagignoskein` (to distinguish), from `dia-` (apart) + `gignoskein` (to know)

The likely course or outcome of a disease

“The prognosis is favorable with early intervention.”

Origin: From Greek `prognosis` (foreknowledge), from `progignoskein` (to know beforehand), from `pro-` (before) + `gignoskein` (to know)

The cause or origin of a disease

“The etiology of the condition remains unknown.”

Origin: From Greek `aitiologia` (causation), from `aitia` (cause) + `logos` (study)

The study of the causes and effects of diseases

“The pathology report revealed abnormal cell growth.”

Origin: From Greek `pathos` (suffering, disease) + `logos` (study)

Persisting for a long time or constantly recurring

“Chronic pain requires long-term management strategies.”

Origin: From Greek `khronikos` (of time), from `khronos` (time)

Severe and sudden in onset

“The patient presented with acute respiratory distress.”

Origin: From Latin `acutus` (sharp, pointed), past participle of `acuere` (to sharpen)

Not harmful; not malignant

“The tumor was benign and required no further treatment.”

Origin: From Latin `benignus` (kind, well-born), from `bene` (well) + `genus` (born)

Cancerous and likely to spread

“Early detection of malignant tumors improves survival rates.”

Origin: From Latin `malignus` (wicked, malicious), from `male` (badly) + `genus` (born)

A condition that makes a treatment inadvisable

“Pregnancy is a contraindication for this medication.”

Origin: From Latin `contra` (against) + `indicare` (to point out), meaning something that indicates against a treatment

Relieving symptoms without curing the underlying condition

“Palliative care focuses on quality of life for terminal patients.”

Origin: From Latin `palliare` (to cloak, conceal), from `pallium` (cloak)

Temporary or permanent decrease in disease symptoms

“The cancer went into remission after chemotherapy.”

Origin: From Latin `remissio` (relaxation, diminution), from `remittere` (to send back, relax), from `re-` (back) + `mittere` (to send)

Intended to prevent disease

“Prophylactic antibiotics were administered before surgery.”

Origin: From Greek `prophylaktikos` (precautionary), from `prophylassein` (to guard before), from `pro-` (before) + `phylassein` (to guard)

Of unknown cause

“The patient was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.”

Origin: From Greek `idios` (one`s own, private) + `pathos' (suffering, disease)

Caused by medical treatment or examination

“The infection was iatrogenic, resulting from the surgical procedure.”

Origin: From Greek `iatros` (physician) + `genes` (born, produced)

The presence of additional diseases alongside a primary condition

“Diabetes is a common comorbidity in heart disease patients.”

Origin: From Latin `co-` (together) + `morbidus` (diseased), from `morbus` (disease)

Assigning degrees of urgency to decide treatment order

“Emergency room triage ensures critical patients are seen first.”

Origin: From French `trier` (to sort, sift), originally meaning to pick or cull

Showing no symptoms of disease

“Many carriers remain asymptomatic but can still transmit the virus.”

Origin: From Greek `a-` (without) + `symptoma` (occurrence), from `syn-` (together) + `piptein` (to fall)

Based on observation rather than theory

“Empirical treatment was started while awaiting lab results.”

Origin: From Greek `empeirikos` (experienced), from `empeiria` (experience), from `en` (in) + `peira` (trial)

Affecting both sides of the body

“The patient had bilateral knee replacements.”

Origin: From Latin `bi-` (two) + `lateralis` (of the side), from `latus` (side)

Distinguishing between diseases with similar symptoms

“The differential diagnosis includes several autoimmune conditions.”

Origin: Modern medical compound; `differential` from Latin `differre` (to differ) + `diagnosis` from Greek (see above)

An examination of tissue removed from a living body

“The biopsy results confirmed the diagnosis.”

Origin: From Greek `bios` (life) + `opsis` (sight, view)

The development of secondary malignant growths at a distance from a primary site of cancer

“Early treatment prevented metastasis.”

Origin: From Greek `metastasis` (removal, change), from `methistanai` (to remove, change), from `meta-` (change) + `histanai` (to place)