Clinical Diagnosis · Respiratory System · Medium
Silicosis
Meaning: A lung disease caused by inhaling crystalline quartz dust from stone, sand or ceramics, leading to nodules and progressive scarring.
In practice: Years of stone cutting without masks left the mason with silicosis.
Word parts
- -osis means an abnormal condition or process
Many medical words are built from Greek and Latin parts like these, so learning a few helps you work out new terms.
Quick check
Two questions on related clinical diagnosis words.
Which word means: An abnormally high blood level of the mineral stored in bones, causing thirst, constipation, confusion and kidney stones.
Answer: Hypercalcaemia
Which word means: A feeling of being detached from one's own body or thoughts, as if observing oneself from outside.
Answer: Depersonalisation
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