Pathology
Channel: English Unpacked
Date: 2023-10-18

Pathology is a term used in the field of medicine to describe the study and diagnosis of diseases. It involves examining the structural and functional changes that occur in the body as a result of various diseases or abnormalities. Pathology helps doctors and healthcare professionals understand the causes, mechanisms, and effects of diseases, which in turn helps them in making accurate diagnoses and developing appropriate treatment plans.
Pathology can be divided into two main branches: Anatomic pathology and clinical pathology.
1. Anatomic pathology: This branch of pathology focuses on the examination of organs, tissues, and cells under a microscope to identify diseases. It involves studying the structural changes that occur in the body due to diseases. Examples of anatomic pathology include:
- Histopathology: This involves studying changes in tissues at a microscopic level. For example, a biopsy of a suspicious skin lesion may be examined under a microscope to diagnose skin cancer.
- Cytopathology: This involves studying individual cells to diagnose diseases. For instance, a Pap smear is a type of cytopathology test used to detect abnormal cells in the cervix, which may indicate cervical cancer.
2. Clinical pathology: This branch of pathology focuses on the analysis of body fluids such as blood, urine, and cerebrospinal fluid to diagnose diseases. It involves studying the biochemical, hematological, and immunological changes that occur in the body. Examples of clinical pathology include:
- Hematology: This involves analyzing blood samples to diagnose conditions such as anemia, leukemia, or clotting disorders.
- Clinical chemistry: This involves analyzing body fluids for various chemicals and enzymes to assess organ function. For example, liver function tests measure the levels of certain enzymes in the blood to evaluate liver health.
- Microbiology: This involves identifying and studying microorganisms like bacteria or viruses that cause infections. For instance, a culture of a throat swab can be done to identify the bacteria responsible for a throat infection.
In summary, pathology is the study of diseases and their effects on the body. It helps doctors diagnose and understand the underlying causes of diseases, leading to appropriate treatment strategies. Anatomic pathology focuses on examining tissues and cells, while clinical pathology involves analyzing body fluids.