Pathological means relating to, caused by, or involving disease or an abnormal change in the structure or function of a living organism.
In medicine, pathological generally describes something that results from disease or differs from what is considered normal because of disease. For example, pathological changes may occur in tissues, organs, or bodily functions.
The word does not simply mean “bad.” Something can be unusual without being pathological; the term implies a connection to disease or abnormal biological processes.
“Pathological” can describe a finding or process without itself identifying the specific disease causing it.
COMMONLY CONFUSED WITH
- Physiological: relating to normal functioning of the body.
- Pathology: the scientific and medical study of disease and the structural or functional changes associated with it.
SEE ALSO