Physiology · Nervous System · Hard

Stereognosis

Meaning: The ability to identify an object by touch alone, without looking.

In practice: Testing asks the patient to name a coin placed in the hand with eyes closed; loss suggests parietal dysfunction.

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 physiology words.

Which word means: Movement of molecules from high to low concentration without energy.

Which word means: The process by which cells engulf and digest foreign particles.

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Related words

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