Idiopathic


Of unknown cause. Any disease that is of uncertain or unknown origin may be termed idiopathic. For example, acute idiopathic polyneuritis, diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, idiopathic scoliosis, etc.

From the New Latin idiopathia (primary disease), from the Greek idiopatheia, from idio-, from idios (one’s own, personal) + -patheia, -pathic (feeling, suffering).

Read Also:

  • Idiopathic sclerosing cholangitis

    Primary sclerosing cholangitis.

  • Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura

    Immune thrombocytopenic purpura.

  • Idiopathy

    A disease or medical condition of unknown origin or which has no apparent cause. As in the idiopathy of cancer. From the New Latin idiopathia (primary disease), from the Greek idiopatheia, from idio-, from idios (one’s own, personal) + -patheia, -pathy (feeling, suffering).

  • Idiot savant

    Autistic savant. The term “autistic savant” is preferred to the old term “idiot savant” as less perjorative and more precise.

  • IFA

    Indirect immunofluorescence assay.


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