tuberculosis
UK: tjuːˌbɜːrkjʊˈləʊsɪs | US: tuːˌbɜːrkjʊˈloʊsɪs
n. an infectious bacterial disease characterized by the growth of nodules (tubercles) in the tissues, especially the lungs.
tuberculosis = tuber<swelling> + cul<small> + osis<disease>
- tuber (from Latin tuber, meaning "swelling" or "lump")
- cul (diminutive suffix from Latin -culus, meaning "small")
- osis (from Greek -ōsis, denoting a pathological condition or disease)
Etymology Origin:
The word tuberculosis originates from the Latin tuberculum (small swelling), referring to the nodular lesions caused by the disease. The suffix -osis was later added to medical terminology to indicate a disease state. The term reflects the disease's hallmark symptom—small, abnormal growths (tubercles) in affected tissues, particularly the lungs.
Tuberculosis was once a leading cause of death worldwide.
Early detection of tuberculosis can significantly improve treatment outcomes.
The bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis causes tuberculosis.
Vaccines like BCG help prevent severe forms of tuberculosis.
Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis poses a serious public health challenge.