Pathology: Disease Mechanisms and Processes

Study Notes

Definition and Scope

General pathology is the study of the underlying mechanisms and processes of diseases, focusing on the cellular and molecular changes that occur in response to injury or disease.
It encompasses the study of the causes, mechanisms, and consequences of disease, as well as the structural and functional changes that occur in tissues and organs.

Types of Diseases

Infectious diseases: caused by microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites.
Non-infectious diseases: caused by genetic mutations, environmental factors, and other non-infectious factors.
Neoplastic diseases: characterized by abnormal cell growth and tumor formation.
Degenerative diseases: caused by progressive damage or deterioration of cells and tissues.

Cellular Responses to Injury

Inflammation: a response to tissue damage, characterized by increased blood flow, swelling, and infiltration of immune cells.
Repair: the process of restoring tissue structure and function after injury.
Adaptation: changes in cell structure and function in response to chronic injury or stress.

Cellular Changes in Disease

Hypertrophy: an increase in the size of cells in response to increased demand or stress.
Hyperplasia: an increase in the number of cells in response to increased demand or stress.
Atrophy: a decrease in the size of cells due to decreased demand or stress.
Metaplasia: a change in cell type in response to chronic injury or stress.

Tissue Responses to Injury

Fibrosis: the formation of scar tissue in response to chronic injury or inflammation.
Cirrhosis: a type of fibrosis that occurs in the liver.
Calcification: the deposition of calcium salts in tissues, often in response to injury or disease.

Systemic Diseases

Autoimmune diseases: characterized by an immune response against the body's own tissues.
Immunodeficiency diseases: characterized by a weakened immune system.
Endocrine diseases: characterized by disorders of hormone production or function.

Laboratory Diagnosis

Microscopy: the examination of tissues and cells using a microscope.
Biochemistry: the analysis of biochemical markers and enzymes in bodily fluids.
Molecular diagnostics: the use of molecular techniques such as PCR and DNA sequencing to diagnose diseases.

General Pathology

Focuses on cellular and molecular changes in response to injury or disease
Encompasses the study of causes, mechanisms, and consequences of disease

Types of Diseases

Infectious diseases: caused by microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites)
Non-infectious diseases: caused by genetic mutations, environmental factors, and other non-infectious factors
Neoplastic diseases: characterized by abnormal cell growth and tumor formation
Degenerative diseases: caused by progressive damage or deterioration of cells and tissues

Cellular Responses to Injury

Inflammation: response to tissue damage, characterized by increased blood flow, swelling, and immune cell infiltration
Repair: process of restoring tissue structure and function after injury
Adaptation: changes in cell structure and function in response to chronic injury or stress

Cellular Changes in Disease

Hypertrophy: increase in cell size due to increased demand or stress
Hyperplasia: increase in cell number due to increased demand or stress
Atrophy: decrease in cell size due to decreased demand or stress
Metaplasia: change in cell type in response to chronic injury or stress

Tissue Responses to Injury

Fibrosis: formation of scar tissue in response to chronic injury or inflammation
Cirrhosis: type of fibrosis that occurs in the liver
Calcification: deposition of calcium salts in tissues, often in response to injury or disease

Systemic Diseases

Autoimmune diseases: characterized by immune response against the body's own tissues
Immunodeficiency diseases: characterized by a weakened immune system
Endocrine diseases: characterized by disorders of hormone production or function

Laboratory Diagnosis

Microscopy: examination of tissues and cells using a microscope
Biochemistry: analysis of biochemical markers and enzymes in bodily fluids
Molecular diagnostics: use of molecular techniques (PCR, DNA sequencing) to diagnose diseases

Description

Explore the underlying mechanisms of diseases, including cellular and molecular changes in response to injury or disease. Learn about the causes, mechanisms, and consequences of disease, as well as structural and functional changes in tissues and organs.