What term describes the cause of a disease?

The term that describes the cause of a disease is etiology. Etiology refers specifically to the study of the origin and causes of diseases, encompassing a wide range of factors including genetic, environmental, infectious, and lifestyle influences that may contribute to the development of a condition. By understanding etiology, health professionals can better diagnose, treat, and prevent diseases.

Pathogenesis is related but focuses on the development and progression of a disease once the cause is established, rather than the cause itself. Syndrome refers to a collection of signs and symptoms that often occur together and characterize a particular abnormality or condition, but it does not specifically denote the cause of those symptoms. Symptomatology involves the study of symptoms associated with a disease but, like syndrome, does not provide information about the underlying cause.