What is the term used to refer to the cause of injury or disease?

The term that refers specifically to the cause of injury or disease is etiology. In the context of medical and health sciences, etiology encompasses the study of the origin, factors, and underlying reasons behind a particular condition or disease. It involves examining the influences that lead to injuries or diseases, such as biological factors, environmental conditions, lifestyle choices, and genetic predispositions.

Understanding etiology is crucial for effective diagnosis and treatment planning in athletic training and health care, as it allows practitioners to target interventions appropriately, whether that’s through prevention strategies or therapeutic measures.

While the mechanism relates to how an injury occurs, signs are the observable physical manifestations of a condition, and symptoms are the subjective experiences reported by a patient, etiology specifically focuses on the root causes themselves.