pathogenesis

American  

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

Also pathogeny

noun

1. the production and development of disease.

---

pathogenesis British  

/ pəˈθɒdʒɪnɪ, ˌpæθəˈdʒɛnɪsɪs, ˌpæθəʊdʒɪˈnɛtɪk /

noun

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

---

Other Word 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

See Examples For:

pathogenesis

"It was actually a really unexpected finding that suggests a totally new mechanism for Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis," said Huang.

From Science Daily ● Jun. 12, 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

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

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 Edward Pollock Anshutz