Introduction to Pathology

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Questions and Answers

What does etiology of disease refer to?

The spread of a disease

The cause of a disease (correct)

Symptoms related to a disease

Treatment methods for diseases

Which of the following describes predisposing causes of disease?

Environmental factors affecting health

Directly responsible agents causing disease

Results of disease progression

Factors making individuals more susceptible to disease (correct)

What is the primary focus of pathogenesis?

Identification of disease complications

Treatment outcomes of different diseases

The mechanisms by which disease occurs (correct)

The study of the gross features of disease

Which of the following is included in the gross morphological features of a disease?

Tissue color Signup and view all the answers

What constitutes a good prognosis in terms of disease outcomes?

High likelihood of recovery Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best defines complications of a disease?

Additional pathological changes occurring after the disease process Signup and view all the answers

Which technique is used to examine the microscopic picture of tissue?

Light microscope examination Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of pathology?

The science which studies the nature of disease. Signup and view all the answers

Which classification of pathology focuses on general reactions of cells and tissues to injuries?

General pathology Signup and view all the answers

What is necropsy pathology primarily concerned with?

Establishing cause of death through autopsy. Signup and view all the answers

Which biopsy method is specifically the excision of the entire mass?

Excisional biopsy Signup and view all the answers

Which type of pathology examines the structural and functional changes in tissues caused by irritants?

Disease pathology Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary method of obtaining cells for cytopathology?

Fine Needle Aspiration (FNAC) Signup and view all the answers

Which item is NOT included in the study of any disease?

Biopsy method Signup and view all the answers

What type of disease is caused by chromosomal abnormalities or gene mutations?

Hereditary diseases Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Introduction to Pathology

Pathology is the science that studies the nature of disease.
Pathology classifications include general and systemic pathology.
General pathology studies the fundamental responses of cells and tissues to injury in all disease processes.
Systemic pathology focuses on specific disease processes affecting particular organs or organ systems (e.g., cardiovascular system, central nervous system, gastrointestinal tract).

Applied Pathology Classification

Necropsy pathology examines tissues from deceased individuals to determine the cause of death; this is called "autopsy."
Surgical pathology examines tissues from living patients to establish a specific diagnosis; this is called "biopsy."

Biopsy Methods

Needle or core biopsy: A needle is inserted into a mass to collect a tissue sample. This method may not yield enough material for analysis.
Incisional biopsy: A larger tissue sample is collected using an incision.
Excisional biopsy: The entire mass is removed for analysis.

Classification of Pathology by Specimen Type

Histopathology: Examination of tissues for diagnosis.
Cytopathology: Microscopic study of exfoliated cells from body fluids.

Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC)

FNAC is a technique using a thin needle to obtain cells from a mass for cytological analysis.
It is used for both superficial and deep-seated masses (with guidance from radiology).

The Disease

Disease involves structural and functional changes within organs and tissues caused by an irritant or causative agent.

Classification of Diseases

Hereditary diseases arise from chromosomal abnormalities or gene mutations.
Acquired diseases include inflammatory conditions, neoplasms (tumors), degenerative conditions (like aging), and metabolic disorders.

Items of Study for Diseases

Definition
Etiology (cause)
Pathogenesis (mechanism)
Morphological features (observable characteristics)
Complications
Prognosis (expected outcome)

Etiology of a Disease (Cause of Disease)

Predisposing causes: Factors that make a person more prone to a disease (e.g., heredity, low immunity)
Exciting causes: Factors directly responsible for the disease (e.g., infection)

Pathogenesis of a Disease (Mechanism)

Describes how an etiologic agent causes the disease.

Morphology of a Disease

Gross picture: Examination of the tissue by the naked eye (size, shape, color, consistency, cut section).
Microscopic picture: Examination of tissue sections under a microscope. This is used to determine the nature of a disease.

Complications of a Disease

Pathological changes that occur after the initial disease course has run its usual course.
Examples include a cold progressing to bronchitis, or bronchitis progressing to pneumonia.

Prognosis of a Disease

The expected outcome or fate of the disease, which may be good or poor, suggesting either likely recovery or potential disability or death.

References

Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease, 9th edition, 2014 (Kumar, Abbas, Aster)
Robbins Basic Pathology 10th edition, 2017 (Kumar, Abbas, Aster)

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Description

Explore the fundamentals of pathology, including its classification into general and systemic pathology. This quiz will cover key concepts like necropsy and surgical pathology, as well as various biopsy methods used for diagnosis. Test your understanding of disease processes and tissue examination techniques.