PATHOLOGY
Introduction & Definitions
• Pathos=suffering/disease
• Logos=study
• Scientific study of changes in the structure & function of the body in disease. In other
words pathology consists of the abnormalities in normal anatomy (including
histology) & normal physiology owing to disease.
• Pathology is the scientific study of structural & functional abnormalities which are
expressed as disease of cell, tissue, organs & the body system.
• The father of pathology-Rudolf Virchow
• Another commonly used term with reference to study of disease is
“pathophysiology” (patho=suffering, physiology=study of normal function).
Pathophysiology, thus, includes study of disordered function (i.e. physiological
changes) & breakdown of homeostasis in disease (i.e. biochemical changes)
Terminology-aspects of disease
process
• Etiology: causing factors responsible for the disease. It may be:
• Intrinsic/Genetic factors
• Acquired factors
• Idiopathic
• Pathogenesis: is the mechanism bywhich the lesions are produced is termed
pathogenesis of disease (i.e. ‘how’ of disease)
• Morphological changes: which includes both gross (macroscopic) & microscopic
alterations induced in the cells & organ of the body.
• Clinical manifestation: a clinical manifestation is an observable sign or symptom of a
disease or syndrome. It can be anything from a change in appearance to a specific set of
symptoms.
• Prognosis: expected development of the a disease/recovery (course of disease) i.e.
what is going to happen
Importance of pathology
• Understand disease cause/ disease process/ disease progression.
• To understand how disease started, cause of disease &
pathophysiological mechanism underlie a disease process.
• Understand knowledge about progression, morphological changes &
clinical presentation of disease.
• Prevention of diseases, Early & effective diagnosis of disease.
• Helps in effective management of disease & better treatment/care of
patients.
Branches of pathology
• General pathology dealing with general principles of disease
& is learn first. This is followed by learning of Systemic
Pathology that includes study of disease pertaining to the
specific organ & body system.
• General pathology: basic reactions of cells & tissues to
various stimuli in the disease process.
• Systemic pathology: specific responses by the different
tissues & organs & how the disease process evolves in each
system.
Subdivision of pathology
Morphological branches
• Histopathology
• Cytopathology
• Haematology
Non-morphological branches
• Clinical pathology
• Clinical biochemistry
• Medical microbiology
• Immunology
• Medical genetics
• Molecular pathology
• Molecular cytogenetics
Importance
• Pathology is the study of disease. It is the study of how diseases
develop/started, cause of disease, progression of disease, prognosis of
disease and how they are treated. Pathologists use their knowledge of
diseases to diagnose and treat patients.
Nurses study pathology so that they can better understand how
diseases develop and how to treat them i.e. effective management & care
of patient. By understanding pathology, nurses can provide better care for
their patients.
• Early & effective diagnosis of disorder
• Prevention of disease condition.