GLOSSARY OF TERMS

Aetiology: The word "aetiology" comes from the Greek "aitia", cause + "logos", discourse. It means the study of the causes. For example, of a disease or disorder.  Aetiology is mainly used in medicine, where it is the science that deals with the causes or origin of disease, the factors which produce or predispose toward a certain disease or disorder.

When we hear (or read) that "the aetiology is unknown.", it means that "we don't know the cause"

Aetiology is the preferred spelling in some countries, including the UK, whereas "etiology" without an "a" has taken over in the US.

See also Pathogenesis