pathophysiology

Term: pathophysiology (n)

Literally meaning: “study of abnormal function ”

Origin: Anc Greek

πάθος/pathos > πάθος( masculine gender)  / pathos (=passion, sorrow, strong emotion) >πάσχω/pascho(=to be affected by, to suffer)

+φυσιο-/physio-> φύσις/physis(=nature) >φύω/phyo(=germinate, grow)

+(-λογία)/-logia(=logy, suffix meaning “study of”, “speech”, “discourse”) > λέω/leo (=speak).

Coined/History

The term was introduced between 1792 in Prussia by royal physician in University of Erfurt August Friedrich Hecker(1763-1811) in his article "Gruntriss der physiologia pathologica". The idea of pathophysiology was rooted eralier in 16th cen by by French physician Jean Francois Fernel (1497-1558) who wrote : "there must be special kind of physiology  for life of a sick person"

Definition

Pathophysiology is the medical discipline which deals with the abnormal organ function or injury.