path-, patho-, -path-, -pathia, -pathic, -pathology, -pathetic, -pathize, -pathy

(Greek: feeling, sensation, perception; suffering, disease, or disorder; a system of treating diseases)

In medicine, some of these elements usually mean "someone who suffers from a disease of, or one who treats a disease"; so, they should not be confused with the words that mean "feeling" which are also shown on these pages even though both meanings come from the same Greek element.

laryngopathy (s) (noun), laryngopathies (pl)
Any disease of the larynx: Examples of laryngopathy can be vocal cord cancer, laryngeal papillomatosis, and vocal cord paralysis among others.
lead encephalopathy (s) (noun), lead encephalopathies (pl)
A diseased cerebral condition ranging from cognitive impairment in children to peripheral neuropathy in adults: While occupational exposure among workers at smelters or battery recycling plants remains an occasional problem, the greatest public health problem at the present time is exsure of young children to decaying fragments of leaded paint which can cause lead encephalopathy.
lensopathy (s) (noun), lensopathies (pl)
The process by which tear proteins are deposited on a contact lens: Lensopathy can also be described as the formation of the clear liquid secreted by the glands of the eyes onto the very thin curved plastic lens that fit over the cornea of the eye to provide better vision or to furnish medication.
leukomyelopathy (s) (noun), leukomyelopathies (pl)
One of assorted disorders of the white substance of the spinal cord: In her book, Ruth found out that leukomyelopathy related to an ailment of the white matter of the conducting tracts of the medulla spinalis.
leukopathy (s) (noun), leukopathies (pl)
1. One kind of disease of the leukocytes: Art learned about leukopathy pertaining to the disorders of the white blood cells in a human body.
2. A localized loss of pigmentation of the skin: Jane read that leukopathy can relate to the acquired condition of the reduction or abscission of normal pigmentation of the skin.
lienopathy (s) (noun), lienopathies (pl)
Any disease of the spleen: Old Mrs. White wasn't feeling well at all, and after Dr. Black examined her, he told her that she had a case of lienopathy, an ailment of the large dark-red oval organ on her left side between her diaphragm and her stomach.
lipopathy (s) (noun), lipopathies (pl)
Any disorder of lipid metabolism: When Bob was examined by his doctor, he found out that he had lipopathy, which meant that he had an ailment relating to the chemical processes of the insoluble organic compounds in his body, like fat and oils.
logopathy (s) (noun), logopathies (pl)
Any speech defect or disorder: The term logopathy, which is outdated and not used in the working medical language, is associated with damage to the central nervous system or due to a cerebral disease.
lymphadenopathy (s) (noun), lymphadenopathies (pl)
Any disease process affecting a lymph node or lymph nodes: The lymphadenopathy is an indication of an unclear or general benign infection.
lymphopathy (s) (noun), lymphopathies (pl)
Any disease of the lymphatic vessels or lymph nodes; lymphopathia: Ruth found out that there were different illnesses that could affect the lymphatic glands and lymph vessels and these ailments were termed lymphopathies.
macropathology (s) (noun), macropathologies (pl)
The branch of pathology that pertains to the large anatomical changes in diseases: While June was studying medicine, she was fascinated by macropathology which dealt with gross alterations in the structure of the human body in relation to diseases.
maculopathy (s) (noun), maculopathies (pl)
Retinal pathology of diseases that involve the rich optic nerve or the yellowish central area of the retina of the eye: Maculopathy concerns the medical research of diseases of an area at the center of the retina that is associated with highly sensitive and accurate vision.
mastopathy (s) (noun), mastopathy (pl)
Any disease of the mammary (breast) gland: When Mrs. Lawson had her regular check-up, Dr. Smith told her that there was no sign of any kind of mastopathy, and that she had normal and healthy breasts.
mazopathia (s) (noun), mazopathies (pl)
Any placental disorder: Dr. Hill informed Mrs. Manner that she had a case of mazopathia which was a disease involving the outer lining or the wall of the uterus, and that it should be treated immediately.
mazopathy (s) (noun), mazopathies (pl)
An outdated term for any disease of the female breast; mastopathy: One main and most tragic type of mazopathy is breast cancer.

Quiz You can find self-scoring quizzes over many of the words in this subject area by going to this Vocabulary Quizzes page.