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Glite Dictionary
pathognomonic

pathognomonic

1 9.9
Clearly shows a specific disease
  • adjective
  • /ˌpæθəɡnəˈmɒnɪk/
  • Specialized
translation icon : patognomónico
  • The presence of purulent discharge expressed from a Stensen duct is considered pathognomonic of acute neonatal suppurative parotitis.
  • pathognomonic finding

Examples

  • The presence of purulent discharge expressed from a Stensen duct is considered pathognomonic of acute neonatal suppurative parotitis.

    Academic text (2010)

  • Brown tumors exhibit no pathognomonic histologic changes.

    Academic text (2005)

  • However, the absence of a round window reflex is not pathognomonic for PLF.

    Academic text (2008)

  • Moreover, there are no pathognomonic CT and MRI features of spine tuberculosis.

    Academic text (2007)

  • Phagolysosomes that are unable to digest their contents form the pathognomonic MG bodies.

    Academic text (2003)

  • The propensity for local invasion and destruction is characteristic of rhabdomyosarcoma, and rapid regional spread is pathognomonic.

    Academic text (2007)

  • Magnetic resonance imaging characteristics are pathognomonic for FLH and are the diagnostic key for preoperative evaluation.

    Academic text (2015)

  • Phleboliths are occasionally palpable and, when confirmed by radiography, are pathognomonic of venous vascular malformations.

    Academic text (1998)

  • The pathognomonic urinary findings include casts composed of tubule epithelial cells and/or cellular debris, classically muddy brown in color.

    Academic text (1995)

  • Worthy of note, fetal and neonatal hyperinsulinism is the pathognomonic feature in ODM.

How Diagnostic

pathognomonic
  • Specialized
1 9.9
diagnostic
  • Specialized
79 4.8
suggestive
18 5.2
nonspecific
  • Specialized
5 6.5

Surface Forms

pathognomonic positive

Morphology

pathognomonic = gnomonic (opaque) = patho + gnomon + ic

Both elements are specialized Greek combining forms used mainly in technical/medical vocabulary and are unlikely to be recognisable to average learners, so the meaning cannot be reliably deduced from the parts.

Etymology

Pathognomonic comes from Greek parts patho- ('disease') and -gnomonic ('to know' or 'to show'), like in the word diagnose. So, a pathognomonic sign is one that clearly points to a single disease and helps doctors make a quick, sure diagnosis.