Which of the following terms best describes the cause of an injury or disease?

The term that best describes the cause of an injury or disease is etiology. Etiology specifically refers to the study of causation or origination, particularly regarding factors that lead to different health conditions. This includes identifying biological, environmental, genetic, and lifestyle factors that may contribute to the development of disease.

In contrast, pathology focuses more broadly on the study of disease processes, including their effects on tissues and organs. Diagnosis refers to the identification of a disease through examination and evaluation of symptoms and medical history, while symptomatology entails the study of symptoms associated with a particular disease or condition. Each of these terms plays a crucial role in understanding health, but etiology is focused on identifying the underlying causes.