functional disease

American  

noun

Pathology.

1. a disease in which there is an abnormal change in the function of an organ, but no structural alteration in the tissues involved (opposed to organic disease).

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functional disease British  

noun

1. a disease in which there is no observable change in the structure of an organ or part Compare organic disease

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Etymology

Origin of functional disease

First recorded in 1870–75

Example Sentences

New Thought declares that all diseases, except accidental wounds and fractures begin in the psychic or "thought body" as energy and then are registered in the physical cells as organic or functional disease.

From Freedom Talks No. II by Seton, Julia, M.D.

Epilepsy, ep′i-lep-si, n. a chronic functional disease of the nervous system, manifested by recurring attacks of sudden insensibility or impairment of consciousness, commonly accompanied by peculiar convulsive seizures.—n.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 2 of 4: E-M) by Various

Neurosis is a functional disease of the nervous system.

From Woman Her Sex and Love Life by Robinson, William J.

By functional disease there is expressed merely that no anatomical or chemical change is discoverable in the material which gives the unusual reaction.

From Disease and Its Causes by Councilman, William Thomas

Pruritus is a functional disease of the skin, the sole symptom of which is itching, there being no structural change.

From Essentials of Diseases of the Skin Including the Syphilodermata Arranged in the Form of Questions and Answers Prepared Especially for Students of Medicine by Stelwagon, Henry Weightman