Gen Pathology: Midterms

• Pathology


  The study of disease, involving various terminologies to describe conditions, processes, and findings
• Pathology plays a crucial role in medical practice, as accurate diagnosis is essential for appropriate patient management and treatment. It also contributes to medical research, public health, and disease prevention efforts by identifying patterns of disease occurrence, understanding disease mechanisms, and developing new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
• Pathology


  The branch of medical science that deals with the study of diseases. It involves the examination of tissues, organs, bodily fluids, and whole bodies (in the case of autopsy) to understand the causes, nature, and effects of diseases.
• Pathologists


  Medical doctors specializing in pathology, who analyze samples collected from patients to diagnose diseases, monitor the progression of illnesses, predict outcomes, and guide treatment decisions.
• Disciplines of Pathology


  • Anatomic Pathology
  • Clinical Pathology (Laboratory Medicine)
  • Molecular Pathology
  • Forensic Pathology
  • Experimental Pathology
• Anatomic Pathology


  Involves the examination of tissues, organs, and body fluids to diagnose diseases through techniques such as histology (microscopic examination of tissues) and cytology (study of individual cells).
• Clinical Pathology (Laboratory Medicine)

  Focuses on the analysis of bodily fluids such as blood, urine, and cerebrospinal fluid to diagnose diseases and monitor their progression. It includes areas such as clinical chemistry, hematology, immunology, and microbiology.
• Molecular Pathology


  Involves the study of diseases at the molecular level, including the analysis of DNA, RNA, and proteins to understand genetic factors underlying diseases, predict disease risk, and guide targeted therapies.
• Forensic Pathology


  Applies pathology principles to investigate the cause, manner, and circumstances of death in cases of sudden, unexpected, or suspicious deaths. Forensic pathologists perform autopsies and provide expert testimony in legal proceedings.
• Experimental Pathology


  Involves the use of animal models and laboratory techniques to study disease mechanisms, test new treatments, and advance medical knowledge.
• Histopathology

  The examination of tissues under a microscope to study the manifestations of disease.
• Gross pathology


  The examination of tissues and organs with the naked eye, often during autopsy, to identify macroscopic changes associated with disease.
• Biopsy


  The removal and examination of a small sample of tissue for diagnostic purposes.
• Cytology


  The study of individual cells, often used in the diagnosis of cancer.
• Immunohistochemistry (IHC)


  A technique used to visualize the presence, localization, and abundance of specific proteins in tissue sections using antibodies.
• Molecular pathology


  The study of disease at the molecular level, including the genetic basis of diseases.
• Pathogenesis


  The sequence of events leading to the development of a disease.
• Etiology


  The cause or origin of a disease.
• Lesion


  Any abnormal change in tissue structure or function due to disease or injury.
• Metaplasia


  The reversible transformation of one differentiated cell type into another.
• Dysplasia


  Abnormal development or growth of cells, tissues, or organs.
• Neoplasia


  The abnormal and uncontrolled growth of cells, leading to the formation of a tumor.
• Benign


  A neoplasm that does not invade nearby tissue or spread to other parts of the body.
• Malignant


  A neoplasm that has the potential to invade nearby tissue and spread to other parts of the body (cancer).
• Staging


  The process of determining the extent of spread of cancer in the body.
• Grading


  The classification of the degree of differentiation and aggressiveness of cancer cells.
• Inflammation


  The body's response to injury or infection, characterized by redness, heat, swelling, pain, and sometimes loss of function.
• Necrosis


  The premature death of cells or tissues due to injury, infection, or disease.
• Apoptosis


  Programmed cell death that occurs as a normal part of an organism's growth or development, or in response to injury or disease.
• Fibrosis


  The formation of excess fibrous connective tissue in an organ or tissue in response to injury or disease.
• Infectious Diseases


  • Bacterial Infections
  • Viral Infections
  • Parasitic Infections
• Bacterial Infections


  Symptoms may include fever, inflammation, pain, and localized or systemic symptoms depending on the affected area.
• Viral Infections


  Symptoms can range from mild (like common cold symptoms) to severe (like fever, fatigue, respiratory distress, etc.).
• Parasitic Infections


  Symptoms may include gastrointestinal disturbances, fever, skin rashes, and in severe cases, organ damage.
• Autoimmune Diseases


  • Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
  • Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)
  • Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
  • Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus
  • Hashimoto's Thyroiditis
  • Graves' Disease
  • Celiac Disease
  • Psoriasis
• Autoimmune Diseases


  These occur when the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own tissues. Manifestations vary widely depending on the specific disease but can include inflammation, pain, fatigue, and organ dysfunction.
• Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)


  RA primarily affects the joints, causing inflammation, pain, stiffness, and swelling. It can also affect other organs such as the skin, eyes, lungs, and heart.
• Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)


  SLE is a chronic autoimmune disease that can affect various parts of the body, including the skin, joints, kidneys, heart, lungs, blood vessels, and brain. Symptoms can vary widely and may include fatigue, joint pain, skin rashes, fever, and organ damage.
• Multiple Sclerosis (MS)


  MS is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system, including the brain and spinal cord. It can cause a wide range of symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, numbness or tingling in the limbs, difficulties with coordination and balance, and cognitive impairments.
• Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus


  Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition in which the immune system attacks the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. This results in high blood sugar levels, leading to symptoms such as increased thirst, frequent urination, extreme hunger, fatigue, and weight loss.