Pathology is the study (logos) of

suffering (pathos). The term pathology

is defined as the "scientific study of
the molecular, cellular, tissue, or
organ system response to injurious
agents.

The study of the structural and

functional changes in cells, tissues,
and organs that underlie disease.

LEARNING PATHOLOGY
Pathology is best learnt in two stages:
general pathology: the mechanisms and
characteristics of the principal types of
disease process (e.g. inflammation,
tumours, degenerations).
systematic pathology: the descriptions
of specific diseases as they affect
individual organs or organ systems (e.g.
appendicitis, lung cancer, atheroma).

Pathological examination
Body

External
examination

Clinical
Examination

Organ

Gross pathology
Anatomical path.

Macroscopically (Naked
eye)

Tissue

Histopathology

Microscopically
( Light- microscopy)

Cell

Cell pathology

Ultra-structure (Electronmicroscopy)

Gene

Molecular
pathology

Gene analysis

HEALTH
As generally used, the term "health"
refers

to

the

"state

individual

is

living

in
in

which

an

complete

harmony with his environment,"

DISEASE
Dis + ease (not at
ease)
WHO def. as a "state
in

which

individual

an

exhibits

physiological,

anatomical,
histological deviation
from the normal."

Disease Types
Inflammatory / Neoplastic / Degenerative
Acute / Chronic
Acute short days to weeks.
Chronic long months to years.
Congenital / Familial / Acquired
Mild / Moderate / Severe

ETIOLOGY
The term "etiology" refers to a "study of the cause
of a disease." An etiologic agent responsible for a
disease state.
Predisposing Causes of Diseases: refer to those
factors which make an individual more susceptible
to a disease (damp weather, poor ventilation, etc.)

Exciting Causes of Disease: refer to those factors

which are directly responsible for a disease
(bacteria, viruses, hypoxia, chemical agents, etc.).

Etiology: What is the cause?

Environmental agents:
Physical
Chemical
Nutritional
Infections
Immunological
Psychological
Genetic Factors:
Age
Genes

Multifactorial:
Diabetes,
Hypertension
Cancer

Disease

Disease
Disease

Disease

Disease

One agent One disease - Malaria

Several agents One disease - Diabetes

One agent Several diseases - Smoking

PATHOGENESIS
The term Pathogenesis" refers to
the

"progressive

development

(sequence of events) of a disease

from the time it is initiated to its final

conclusion in recovery or death."

CLINICAL SIGNS
"Clinical signs" refer to any
"functional and structural
evidence of disease which
can be determined by the
physician"

Lesion
The term lesion is generally used to refer to
"structural
or
morphological
alterations
associated with a diseased state in an individual."

Lesions may be recognized with the naked-eye

(gross lesions).
with the aid of a light microscope (microscopic
lesions).
or with the aid of the electron microscope
(ultrastructural lesions).
Pathognomonic Lesion: refers to a change which
is specifically characteristic of a disease. When
one sees a pathognomonic lesion, he knows that
a particular disease is present.

DIAGNOSIS
The term Diagnosis" refers to the "determination
of the nature of a disease expressed in a concise
manner.
A clinical diagnosis is made on the basis of

clinical signs observed in the living individual.

A morphologic or anatomic diagnosis is based on

the location and nature of the lesion.

Etiologic diagnosis is made on the basis of the

cause.

PROGNOSIS
The term Prognosis" refers to the
probably outcome of a disease in a
living individual. It is the clinician's
estimate of the severity and possible
result of a disease.

Subdivisions of Pathology
Pathology is a vast subject with many ramifications.
In practice, however, it has major subdivisions:
Histopathology: the investigation and diagnosis of
disease from the examination of tissues.
Cytopathology: the investigation and diagnosis of
disease from the examination of isolated cells.
Haematology: the study of disorders of the cellular
and coagulable components of blood.
Microbiology: the study of infectious diseases and
the organisms responsible for them.
Immunology: the study of the specific defense
mechanisms of the body

 Chemical pathology: the study and

diagnosis of disease from the chemical
changes in tissues and fluids
Genetics: the study of abnormal
chromosomes and genes
Toxicology: the study of the effects of
known or suspected poisons
Forensic pathology: the application of
pathology to legal purposes (e.g.
investigation of death in suspicious
circumstances).

Pathology Summary
Scientific Study of Disease
Study of Pathology
Etiology: What causes disease?.
Pathogenesis: How does disease
develop?

Lesion: Structural change in disease?

Clinical Significance: Link to clinical
F?