Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
The bubonic plague is a specific form of the Black Death caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis. It is characterized by painful swollen lymph nodes called buboes.
Related terms
Epidemic: A sudden increase in cases of a disease above what is normally expected within a specific community or region.
Fleas: Small parasitic insects that feed on blood and can transmit diseases such as the bubonic plague.
Quarantine: Isolating individuals who have been exposed to an infectious disease to prevent its spread to others.