noun
differential
A comparison of possible diseases that could explain a patient's symptoms.
The doctor develops a differential to explain the patient's persistent cough.
Etymology
Latin dis- and ferre express carrying apart or distinguishing. A differential diagnosis separates possible explanations by comparing the features that support one disease over another.
More examples
- Pneumonia and bronchitis are both on her differential.
- The blood test helps narrow the differential.
- Medical students compare their differentials before discussing the most likely diagnosis.
Forms
differential · differentials
Similar words
- differential diagnosis
- Full medical term for comparing diseases that could explain symptoms.