What is the term for the scientific study of disease, including its causes and effects?

The term for the scientific study of disease, including its causes and effects, is pathology. This field encompasses the examination of tissues, organs, bodily fluids, and the functional changes that diseases cause. Pathologists analyze various diseases to understand their origins (etiology), the mechanisms through which they affect the body (pathogenesis), and how they impact overall health and function.

Physiology focuses on the normal functions of living organisms and their parts, which is distinct from the study of disease. Histology deals with the microscopic structure of tissues, providing insight into how tissues are organized and function, but it does not primarily focus on diseases themselves. Immunology is the study of the immune system and its responses to pathogens, which is a specialized area within the broader context of disease, but does not encompass all aspects of disease study like pathology does.