Spectrum
Spectrum (medicine)
Spectrum (pronounced: /ˈspɛktrəm/) in the field of medicine refers to the range of manifestations or variations that a particular medical condition, disease, or disorder can take. It is derived from the Latin word 'spectrum' meaning 'image' or 'apparition', including the meaning 'specter'. A spectrum may refer to a range of severity (from mild to severe), different disease presentations, or the progression of a disease.
Etymology
The term 'spectrum' is derived from the Latin word 'spectrum', which means 'image' or 'apparition'. It was first used in the 17th century to describe a range of colors displayed as a light beam passes through a prism. In medicine, the term was adopted to describe the range of symptoms, manifestations, or variations that a particular medical condition, disease, or disorder can take.
Related Terms
- Spectrum Disorder: A mental disorder that includes a range of linked conditions, sometimes also extending to include singular symptoms and traits. The different elements of a spectrum either have a similar appearance or are thought to be caused by the same underlying mechanism.
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): A developmental disorder that affects communication and behavior, and includes a wide range of symptoms and skills.
- Bipolar Spectrum: Refers to the range of mood disorders that includes bipolar I disorder, bipolar II disorder, and others.
- Antibiotic Spectrum: The range of bacteria an antibiotic can kill or inhibit.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Spectrum
- Wikipedia's article - Spectrum
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