HealthJuly 8, 2026

pathology

/pəˈθɒlədʒi/

Definition

The branch of medicine concerned with the study of the nature, causes, and progression of diseases through the analysis of laboratory specimens.

Etymology

Derived from the Greek words 'pathos' (suffering or disease) and '-logia' (study of). It entered English in the 17th century to describe the scientific study of the causes and effects of diseases.

In the news

The term is used to identify the medical specialty of Glen Gaulton, who serves as a professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine while overseeing the global health partnership.

A model global health academic partnership flourishes in Botswana

Read the full article ↗

Penn Medicine

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