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Health Dictionary

Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.

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Occult

Introduction

Overview

The word occult comes from the Latin word occultus (clandestine, hidden, secret), referring to “knowledge of the hidden”.[1] In the medical sense it is used to refer to a structure or process that is hidden, e.g. an “occult bleed”[2] may be one detected indirectly by the presence of otherwise unexplained anaemia.

  1. ↑ Crabb, G. (1927). English synonyms explained, in alphabetical order, with copious illustrations and examples drawn from the best writers. New York: Thomas Y. Crowell Co.
  2. ↑ Harvard Medical School Family Health Guide. Harvard Medical School 2005. 1272 pages ISBN 0684863731