1 : cause, origin specifically : the cause of a disease or abnormal condition. 2 : a branch of knowledge concerned with causes specifically : a branch of medical science concerned with the causes and origins of diseases.

What does etiology mean in medical term?

(EE-tee-AH-loh-jee) The cause or origin of disease.

What are examples of etiology?

When a cause of a disease is determined, this is called its etiology. For example, the etiology of cholera is known to be a bacterium that contaminates food and drinking water in places with poor sanitation.