What does "Functional" mean in a report or doctor's letter? In our medical dictionary, you will find a patient-friendly explanation of the meaning of this medical term.
In the field of medicine, "functional" refers to how well a part of the body is working. For example, if a doctor says a person has a functional disorder, it means there's something wrong with how a part of their body is operating, but there might not be a physical or structural cause that can be seen or measured. It's like having a car that won't start, but the mechanic can't find anything wrong with the engine or the battery.
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