What term means the cause of disease?

• A. Etiology
• B. Exacerbate
• C. Expand
• D. Exposure

Answer: (A)

Etiology is the term for the cause of a disease. It identifies the factors that bring about a disease or condition, such as a pathogen, genetic mutation, environmental exposure, or lifestyle element. Knowing the etiology helps explain why a disease develops and guides how it might be prevented or treated. For example, the etiology of tuberculosis is infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The other options don’t name the cause: to exacerbate means to worsen the condition, expand isn’t used to mean cause, and exposure refers to contact with a potential source but isn’t the term for the actual cause.