Tag: Functio laesa

Inflammation, the body's protective response to injury or infection, dates back to observations by ancient Roman physicians. Understanding which manifestations are considered cardinal signs of inflammation is key to recognizing this essential healing process and when it becomes a chronic problem.

Historians note that Galen added *functio laesa*—the medical term for disturbance of function—as the fifth cardinal sign of inflammation around 2,000 years ago. While this classic term is still relevant, modern medicine uses more specific language like functional disorder and functional neurological disorder (FND) to describe conditions where body systems malfunction without clear structural damage.

Originally, only four cardinal signs of inflammation were recognized: redness, heat, swelling, and pain. The fifth sign, functio laesa, was later added to the list and signifies a disturbance or loss of function in an affected area. Understanding **what is functio laesa** is crucial for comprehending the body's full inflammatory response to injury and disease.