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

"This is the first study to highlight the key role of biomechanical forces in the pathogenesis of early-onset CRC," said Jacopo Ferruzzi, Ph.D.,

From Science Daily • Jan. 24, 2026

These details can reveal how molecular interactions contribute to cellular functions, which is critical for advancing targeted therapies and understanding disease pathogenesis.

From Science Daily • Nov. 26, 2024

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

From Salon • Jul. 30, 2024

The findings may also illuminate pathogenesis of disease in general -- one of the many important reasons for investigating rare diseases, which are often viewed as insignificant since they affect so few people, says Simon.

From Science Daily • Jun. 18, 2024

We pass to consider the more important pathogenesis of the remedy in regular course.

From New, Old, and Forgotten Remedies: Papers by Many Writers by Anshutz, Edward Pollock