pathology

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   the branch of medicine that studies the causes, development, and effects of disease

   The tissue sample was sent to the pathology laboratory for examination.

2. 2
   noun

   a disease, abnormal condition, or pattern of dysfunction

   The scan revealed no structural pathology in the patient's lungs.

Borrowed through French pathologie from Greek pathos ("suffering, disease") + -logia ("study, account"). Its primary sense names the study of disease; by metonymy it also denotes the diseased condition or abnormalities being studied.

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