Definitive

Definitive is a term often used in the field of medicine and biology to describe something that is final, absolute, or conclusive. It is frequently used to refer to diagnostic tests or treatments that provide a conclusive result or effect.

Definition

In the context of medicine, a definitive diagnosis is one that has been confirmed with absolute certainty, usually through the results of laboratory tests or other diagnostic procedures. This is in contrast to a provisional diagnosis, which is a preliminary diagnosis made based on the patient's symptoms and medical history, but which has not yet been confirmed through further testing.

Use in Medicine

Definitive diagnoses are crucial in medicine as they guide the course of treatment. For example, a definitive diagnosis of cancer would lead to a specific treatment plan involving surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, or a combination of these. Similarly, a definitive diagnosis of a bacterial infection would lead to treatment with specific antibiotics.

Definitive treatments, on the other hand, are treatments that are intended to cure a disease or condition, rather than just manage its symptoms. For example, surgery to remove a tumor would be considered a definitive treatment for that tumor, as it is intended to completely eliminate the disease.

Use in Biology

In biology, the term definitive is often used to describe the final stage of a process. For example, the definitive host of a parasite is the organism in which the parasite reaches its mature form and reproduces. This is in contrast to the intermediate host, in which the parasite exists in an immature form.

See Also

• Provisional diagnosis
• Cancer
• Bacterial infection
• Definitive host
• Intermediate host

References

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