Key Terms for Disease (Part 1)

The term “disease” refers to any alteration of a body part’s structure or function. Often, diseases are medical conditions associated with a particular set of symptoms. The cause of a disease may be external, such as pathogens, or internal, such as dysfunctions.

Take this quiz to learn the different terms associated with diseases.

  • Question of

    A disease with an unknown cause or mechanism of apparent spontaneous occurrence.

    • Idiopathic
    • Benign
    • Malignancy
    • Nosocomial

    Correct Wrong

    An idiopathic disease is a condition with no known cause or mechanism of occurrence. (Image shows Idiopathic gangrene of the fingers of a child)

  • Question of

    A persistent or long-lasting condition or disease.

    • Chronic
    • Idiopathic
    • Iatrogenic
    • Acute

    Correct Wrong

    Chronic conditions refer to physical or mental illnesses that last over time or to diseases that develop over time. The term chronic is often used when a disease has been present for more than three months.

  • Question of

    An organism that lives on or in its host and obtains food from it.

    • Parasite
    • Cyst
    • Abscess
    • Necrosis

    Correct Wrong

    The parasite lives on or in the host organism and obtains its food from or through the host. In humans, three main groups of parasites are known to cause disease: protozoa, helminths, and ectoparasites.

  • Question of

    Find the prefix.

    • Pachy-
    • Aesthesio-
    • Dacrio-
    • Extra-

    Correct Wrong

    Pachy- pertains to heavy; thick. (E.g., pachydactyly)

  • Question of

    A medical condition that tends to get worse over time.

    • Malignancy
    • Exacerbation
    • Sarcoma
    • Chronic

    Correct Wrong

    An advancing disease is referred to as malignancy. Most commonly, malignancy is associated with cancer. Malignant tumors can invade adjacent tissues and may spread to distant tissues. Benign tumors do not possess those characteristics.

  • Question of

    A collection of pus within the tissues of the body.

    • Abscess
    • Inflammation
    • Parasite
    • Prolapse

    Correct Wrong

    In the human body, abscesses are areas of pus accumulating within the tissue. Abscesses are characterized by redness, pain, warmth, and swelling.

  • Question of

    Find the root word.

    • Path/o
    • Lith/o
    • Carcin/o
    • Pyr/o

    Correct Wrong

    Path/o denotes disease. (E.g., Pathogen)

  • Question of

    Find the prefix.

    • Xer/o-
    • Cyan/o-
    • Hemi-
    • Hyper-

    Correct Wrong

    Xer/o- pertains to dry. (E.g. Xeroderma)

  • Question of

    This type of cancer develops in the bone or soft tissues of the body.

    • Sarcoma
    • Pathogen
    • Necrosis
    • Metastasis

    Correct Wrong

    As a form of cancer, sarcoma occurs in the bone or soft tissues in the body such as cartilage, fat, muscles, blood vessels, fibers or other supporting structures.

  • Question of

    A disease’s symptoms or severity increasing.

    • Exacerbation
    • Remission
    • Metastasis
    • Inflammation

    Correct Wrong

    When a disease worsens or its symptoms increase, it is called an exacerbation. An acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and an acute exacerbation of congestive heart failure are examples.