A.W.A.D. - Words Related to Medicine

The human body has been described as the most complex machine around. No wonder Hippocrates, the Father of Medicine, said, "The life so short, the craft so long to learn." This complex machine has an equally bewildering number of terms to describe its various conditions, symptoms, cures, effects, and side-effects. This week we review five of them.

sequela
(si-KWEL-uh) noun,
plural sequelae (si-KWEL-ee)
A pathological condition resulting from a previous disease or injury.

[From Latin sequela (sequel).]

nosology
(no-SOL-uh-jee) noun
1. The branch of medical science that deals with classification of diseases.
2. A systematic classification or list of diseases.

[From New Latin nosologia, from Greek nosos (disease) + -logy (study).]

idiopathy
(id-ee-OP-uh-thee) noun
A disease of unknown origin or one having no apparent cause.

[From New Latin idiopathia (primary disease), from Greek idiopatheia, from idios (one's own, personal) + -pathy (feeling, suffering).]

sternutation
(stur-nyuh-TAY-shuhn) noun
The act of sneezing or a sneeze.

[From Latin sternuere (to sneeze).]

nosocomial
(nos-uh-KO-mee-uhl) adjective
Originating or acquired in hospital. Used to refer to infections.

[From Latin nosocomium (hospital), from Greek nosokomeion (one who tends the sick).]

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