Introduction to Pathology 3.1

Pathology is a science that has been developing and progressing since ancient times. In ancient times, people believed that disease was caused by a "curse" or the "evil eye" of the spirits. As time progressed, scientists discovered the real reasons behind illness.

Following are some of the major contributors to the science of pathology:

Physical signs

Functional implications from the disease that are felt by the patient.

During the 1800s, Louis Pasteur worked as a scientist and researcher in the university setting.

He's known for developing the process of pasteurization,

Pasteurization has helped reduce the spread of foodborne illness.

Milk is a common pasteurized product. Pasteur also discovered the principle of vaccination.

Lesion

. A visible characteristic change in tissues and cells, usually localized to one specific area on or in the body. They may be benign or cancerous.

There are three main studies within the science of pathology:

1. Anatomic pathology 2. Clinical pathology 3. Forensic pathology

Hematology is a branch of medicine specializing in disorders of the blood.

A hematologist would treat patients with sickle-cell anemia, for example

Remission

A period of decreased disease activity; less intense for a period of time. This may be temporary.

Exacerbation

Sudden increase in the severity of disease.

Pathogenesis

The development of a disease.

Sequelae

The late-term effects, or aftereffects, produced by the disease.

Patient

The person affected by the disease.

Illness

The reaction of the patient to the disease in the form of symptoms

Etiology

The study of the cause of disease within the population.

Morphology

The study of the structural changes at the cellular and tissue level.

Epidemiology

The study of when and where disease occurs.

A pathologist is

a doctor who specializes in the study of disease and injury and how it affects the body.

There are three main studies within the science of pathology:

anatomic, clinical, and forensic.

Within each of these main studies

are specializations that further focus on specific areas within pathology.

Histopathology is often associated with surgery

as samples are analyzed to determine the extent of disease. There's also a forensic science subspecialty.

Pathology, more specifically, is the

branch of medicine that specializes in studying how disease affects the body at both the microscopic and macroscopic, or gross, levels.

A pathologist examines

cells and tissues using a tool called a microscope.

In 1665, Robert Hooke

discovered the cell, the basic structural, functional, and biological unit of living organisms.

Molecular pathology

focuses on the detection and diagnosis of disease at the DNA level.

Anatomic pathology

focuses on the gross and microscopic changes in the tissues caused by disease and injury.

Cell theory also states that vital functions of an organism occur at the cellular level and that the genetic information necessary

for regulating cell function was copied and passed on to the daughter cells during reproduction.

The study of pathology helps to

form a bridge between basic science and the clinical practice of taking care of patients.

Specialties within the science of pathology include

histopathology, cytopathology, hematology, microbiology, immunology, geographic pathology, medical genetics, and molecular pathology.

pasteurization

in which a substance is heated to a specified temperature and for a specified time to kill microbes.

Usually, there's an increase in the signs and symptoms during the exacerbation.

increase in the signs and symptoms during the exacerbation.

Immunology

is a branch of medicine specializing in conditions of the lymphatic and immune system.

Forensic pathology

is a combination of both anatomic and clinical pathology that focuses on issues in civil and criminal law.

Geographic pathology

is a specialty that focuses on the study of diseases in populations in different parts of the world.

Health

is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.

A medical technologist

is an allied health professional who performs much of the day-to-day clinical pathology testing in the clinical lab setting.

Clinical pathology

is the laboratory study and analysis of bodily fluids and waste products such as blood, urine, and sputum.

Pathology

is the study of disease and injury and how they affect the body.

Cytopathology

is the study of disease at the cellular level

Histopathology

is the study of diseases in the tissues, at either the gross/macroscopic or microscopic level.

Microbiology

is the study of microbes and single-celled organisms

Medical genetics

is the study of the relationship between heredity and disease.

The main objective of pathology

is to understand the nature of disease by focusing on the following ideas: Identifying the etiology Understanding the pathogenesis Understanding the pathological changes Identifying the clinical features, including the functional and structural changes (this would also include the patient's signs and symptoms) Preventing complications Developing a prognosis

A Pap smear is a good example

of the type of cell samples that are studied and evaluated

Microscopic,

refers to something that's so small that it can't be seen without the use of a microscope.

The term macroscopic

refers to something that's visible to the naked eye.

In 1839, Theodor Schwann developed

the cell theory, the concept that all living organisms are composed of one or more cells, and that all cells come from preexisting cells.

In the late 1600s, Antony Van Leeuwenhoek

worked on developing lenses and magnification. His work on the microscope contributed significantly to the discovery and study of single-celled organisms.