Sensitivity vs. Specificity — What's the Difference?

The quality or condition of being sensitive

Explicitly set forth; definite

The capacity to respond to changes in the environment.

Clear or detailed in communicating

The degree of response of a receiver or instrument to an incoming signal or to a change in the incoming signal, as in FM radio.

Limited, distinctive, or unique

The degree of response to light, especially to light of a specified wavelength, as in photographic film.

Intended for, applying to, or acting on a particular thing

The proportion of individuals in a population with a particular disease or condition that are correctly identified when administered a test for that disease or condition.

Concerned particularly with the subject specified. Often used in combination

(Biology) The response or degree of response, as of a cell, tissue, or organism, to a chemical substance or stimulus, such as a toxin, infectious agent, hormone, allergen, or antigen

Relating to, characterizing, or distinguishing a species

The quality or state of being sensitive; sensitiveness.

Designating a disease produced by a particular microorganism or condition.

(biology) The ability of an organism or organ to respond to external stimuli.

Having a remedial influence or effect on a particular disease.

Senseid|en|vulnerability of a pathogen to treatment}} Vulnerability to medical treatment: {{synonym of susceptibility.

(Immunology) Having an affinity limited to a particular antibody or antigen.

(statistics) The probability, in a binary classification test, of a true positive being correctly identified.

Designating a customs charge levied on merchandise by unit or weight rather than according to value.

(electronics) The degree of response of an instrument to a change in an input signal.

Designating a commodity rate applicable to the transportation of a single commodity between named points.

(photography) The degree of response of a film etc. to light of a specified wavelength.

Something particularly fitted to a use or purpose.

The quality or state of being sensitive; - used chiefly in science and the arts; as, the sensitivity of iodized silver.

A remedy intended for a particular ailment or disorder.

(physiology) responsiveness to external stimuli;

A distinguishing quality or attribute.

The ability to respond to physical stimuli or to register small physical amounts or differences;

Specifics Distinct items or details; particulars.

Sensitivity to emotional feelings (of self and others)

The state of being specific rather than general.

Susceptibility to a pathogen

The extent to which a characteristic is specific to a given person, place, or thing; thus:

The ability to respond to affective changes in your interpersonal environment

(statistics) The probability, in a binary classification test, of a true negative being correctly identified.

(medicine) The extent to which a particular diagnostic test is specific for, or a symptom or sign is specific to, a given condition.

The quality of being specific rather than general;

The quality of being specific to a particular organism;