Cardinal
Cardinal (medicine)
Cardinal (pronounced: /ˈkɑːrdɪnəl/) is a term used in medicine to denote the primary or most significant symptoms or signs of a disease or condition. The term is derived from the Latin word cardo, meaning "hinge" or "pivot", which signifies its importance in diagnosis.
Cardinal Symptoms
Cardinal symptoms are the major symptoms that allow healthcare professionals to accurately diagnose a disease. These symptoms are often the first signs that a patient is ill and may include fever, pain, shortness of breath, and fatigue.
Cardinal Signs
Cardinal signs are objective indications of a disease that are detected by a physician during a physical examination. These may include rash, swelling, redness, and fever.
Related Terms
- Chief complaint: The primary symptom that a patient states as the reason for seeking medical care.
- Presenting symptom: The symptom that is causing the patient the most trouble and is often the reason they seek medical help.
- Clinical sign: A sign that can be observed and recognized by a doctor or healthcare professional.
- Symptom: A physical or mental feature which is regarded as indicating a condition of disease, particularly such a feature that is apparent to the patient.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Cardinal
- Wikipedia's article - Cardinal
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