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.

solaripathy (s) (noun), solarpathies (pl)
A morbid condition resulting from exposure to sunlight: When Jane's skin turned very red with swelling and blisters, her dermatologist thought that she had a case of solaripathy and gave her some medication in addition to telling her to stay out of the sun for at least a month.
somatopathy (s) (noun), somatopathies (pl)
An outdated term for a disease of the body: In her grandfather's collection of old medical books, Sally found the old-fashioned word somatopathy that referred to a bodily disorder or ailment that had nothing to do with an individual's mind or mental stability.
somnipathy (s) (noun), somnipathies (pl)
1. A condition of sleep created by hypnosis: Somnipathy can occur when one individual has an influence on another person, or which is received by anyone from another, and the effects thus produced, as seen in hypnotism, and in yawning, or by the process of mesmerism.
2. A disturbance of sleep or any physical or mental disorder of sleep: Somnipathy can be severe or intense enough to upset a person's usual physical, mental, and emotional behavior or reactions.
spermatopathy (s) (noun), spermatopathies /pl)
One type of disease of the semen or spermatozoa: Spermatopathy can include an abnormality of the sperm cells, their secreting glands, or ducts.
splanchnopathy (s) (noun), splanchnopathies (pl)
Any disease process of the abdominal viscera: When the doctor examined Tom, he detected a splanchnopathy indicating a disorder of one of the organs within the abdominal cavity.
splenopathy (s) (noun), splenopathies (pl)
Any malfunction or ailment of the spleen: Examples of splenopathies can be a splenic rupture, a hypersplenism, or a splenomegaly.

A "banti syndrome" is another kind of splenopathy.

spondyloarthropathy (s) (noun), spondyloarthropathies (pl)
A joint and spine disease, normally effecting the lower limbs or legs and often accompanied by pain and a limited range of movements in the related limbs: Esther found it difficult to sit comfortably because of the spondyloarthropathy in her legs and spine which were stiff and hurting.
spondylopathy (s) (noun), spondylopathies (pl)
Any abnormality of the vertebrae or spinal column: There are different kinds of spondylopathies including spondylosism, spondylitis, and ankylosing.
steatopathy (s) (noun), steatopathies (pl)
Any disease of the sebaceous glands: Nancy observed a visible change on her skin and Dr. Martin said that she had a condition of steatopathy which should be treated right away.
stereopathy (s) (noun) (no pl)
Constant and ongoing stereotyped thinking: Stereopathy can be explained as the maintenance of one attitude for a long time and a constant repetition of certain meaningless gestures or movements, as in certain forms of schizophrenia.
stomatopathy (s) (noun), stomatopathies (pl)
Any ailment of the oral cavity or mouth; stomatosis: There are many kinds of stomatopathies including the burning mouth syndrome, dental decay, dental erosion, dry mouth, gum disease, and cold sores.
stratepathy (s) (noun), stratepathies (pl)
A disease connected with the military service: Many soldiers suffer from stratepathy in that severe mental disorders develop due terrible experiences and circumstances in warfare.
sympathetic (adjective), more sympathetic, most sympathetic
1. Pertaining to, caused by, exhibiting, showing, having, or resulting from shared feelings, pity, generosity,, understanding, or compassion: Stella's sister was very sympathetic when her favourite kitten was run over by a car in the street in front of their home.
2. Concerning something that is agreeably suited to one's disposition, tastes, or mood; congenial: The couple was extremely happy by living in such sympathetic surroundings with wonderful neighbours.
sympathetoblast, sympathicoblast, sympathoblast (s) (noun); sympathetoblasts: sympathicoblasts; sympathoblasts (pl)
1. A primitive cell derived from the neuroglia of the neural crest that develops into a cell of the adrenal medulla: In her medical class Susan learned about sympathetoblasts which were said to be very simple cells.

"Neuroglia" is the delicate network of branched cells and fibers that supports the tissue of the central nervous system.

2. The precursor of a sympathetic neuron, believed to be derived from the neural crest from where it migrates into the sympathetic ganglia (mass of nerve tissue existing outside the central nervous system which is the system of nerves and nerve centers in an animal or human, including the brain, spinal cord, and nerves).

Homologous (similar in position, structure, function, or characteristics) though larger cells differentiate to form chromaffin cells (cells that stain readily with chromium salt) of organs like the adrenal medulla (inner portion of the adrenal gland).

The adrenal gland refers to either of two small, triangular, endocrine glands found above the kidneys. This gland is actually two fused organs, with one forming the inner core or medulla and the other forming an outer shell, or cortex. The cortex and medulla each secrete distinct kinds of hormones that regulate important bodily functions.

3. An embryonic cell that develops into a sympathetic nerve cell: A sympathoblast can also develop into a chromaffin cell.
sympathicopathy (s) (noun), sympathicopathies (pl)
One of various diseases due to a disorder of the sympathetic or autonomic nervous system: Sympathicopathy is an ailment that can arise by a malfunction of that section of the nervous system that controls the involuntary activity of the heart, intestines, and glands.

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