pathogenesis

American  

[path-uh-jen-uh-sis] / ˌpæθ əˈdʒɛn ə sɪs /

Also pathogeny

noun

1. the production and development of disease.

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pathogenesis British  

/ pəˈθɒdʒɪnɪ, ˌpæθəˈdʒɛnɪsɪs, ˌpæθəʊdʒɪˈnɛtɪk /

noun

1. the origin, development, and resultant effects of a disease

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• pathogenetic
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of pathogenesis

From New Latin, dating back to 1875–80; see origin at patho-, -genesis

Explanation

The medical term pathogenesis means the source of a disease. Your doctor might guess that the pathogenesis of your ear infection was a bad cold that caused congestion and swelling. If you ask your doctor, "How did I get chickenpox?" you're asking about the pathogenesis of an illness that gave you an itchy rash and a high fever. The word stems from the Greek pathos, "suffering or disease," and genesis, "origin." In medical terms, pathogenesis lays out the biological progression of a disease from its origin to the symptoms it caused that sent you to your doctor's office.

Example Sentences

"It provides new insights into this disease pathogenesis and potential therapeutic targets for future research."

From Science Daily • Mar. 7, 2026

The results also align with earlier rodent studies showing that inadequate choline intake in mice can lead to obesity, metabolic problems and increased Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis.

From Science Daily • Nov. 27, 2025

"Only recently, with a number of breakthroughs in the field, did people begin to believe that the vascular system is involved in AD pathogenesis," Norris says.

From Science Daily • Oct. 22, 2025

"We created a model of hibernation, which is so critical to understanding of the pathogenesis of the infection."

From Salon • Jul. 30, 2024

Perhaps these statistical facts may lay a foundation for a study of the pathogenesis of these symptoms.

From The Journal of Abnormal Psychology, Volume 10 by Various