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idiopathic

Having no known cause.

id-ee-oh-PATH-ik adjective

Word parts

idi/o one's own, separatepath/o disease-ic relating to

What it means

A word added to the name of a disease when no cause can be found. Examples are idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (scarring of the lungs) and idiopathic scoliosis (a curved spine in a healthy child).

At a glance

Spanishidiopático

Related terms

-ic

A word ending that means relating to or belonging to.

path/o

A word root that means disease or suffering.

sclerosis

Abnormal hardening of a body tissue, often from scarring.

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