Which term denotes the origin or source of a disease?

Which term denotes the origin or source of a disease?

• A. Etiology
• B. Epidemiology
• C. Pathology
• D. Diagnosis

Answer: (A)

Etiology is the term that denotes the cause or origin of a disease. It answers the question of what triggered the condition—whether it’s a specific infectious agent like a bacterium or virus, a genetic mutation, environmental exposure, or a combination of factors. Understanding etiology helps explain why the disease occurred and guides prevention and treatment strategies. For contrast, epidemiology looks at how diseases spread and affect populations, including patterns and risk factors. Pathology studies the structural and functional changes in tissues and organs caused by disease. Diagnosis is the process of identifying the disease based on symptoms, signs, and tests.

Etiology is the term that denotes the cause or origin of a disease. It answers the question of what triggered the condition—whether it’s a specific infectious agent like a bacterium or virus, a genetic mutation, environmental exposure, or a combination of factors. Understanding etiology helps explain why the disease occurred and guides prevention and treatment strategies.

For contrast, epidemiology looks at how diseases spread and affect populations, including patterns and risk factors. Pathology studies the structural and functional changes in tissues and organs caused by disease. Diagnosis is the process of identifying the disease based on symptoms, signs, and tests.