Introduction To Pathology

Introduction to pathology
• Dr. Sarah Alsawmhi

• FRCpath, MD pathology, Oncopathology fellowship
• Assistant professor, Faculty of medicine
• Seiyun University
Definition of pathology
Pathology is derived from two Greek words” pathos : meaning disease; &
logos : meaning study ;
so Pathology = “The study of disease.”
It define as : study of structural (gross and microscopic) & functional
changes in cells, tissues & organs in response to injurious agents.".

Definition of pathology
• It is a discipline that bridges clinical practices and basic sciences, and
it involves the investigation of the etiology (causes) of disease as well
as the underlying pathogenesis(mechanism) that result in presenting
signs and symptoms of the patients
What is the disease?
An abnormal condition that negatively affects the structure and
function of different organs of a living organism (human body)
Classifications of disease
• 1. Congenital diseases : are present at birth.

• 2. Acquired diseases : only occur after birth.
• 3. Idiopathic disease: In some instances, the underlying cause of a disease is

obscure, not clear or unknown.
Aspects of disease
• Etiology :What is the cause?
• Pathogenesis : Evolution of dis.
• Morphology : Structural Changes
• Functional consequences : Symptoms and signs
• Prognosis: Outcome
Etiology
• It is Study of the cause of a disease”
• Either :
I. Genetic: mutations.
II. Acquired: infectious, nutritional, chemical..

Pathogenesis
The sequence of events that occurs in the response of the cells or
tissues to the etiologic agent, from the initial stimulus to the
ultimate expression of the disease, from the time it is initiated to
its final conclusion in recovery or death
Morphology
• It is refer to structural changes in cells or tissues that occur following
the pathogenetic mechanisms.
•structural changes in the organ as following:
•1. Gross (macroscopic) changes: By naked eye.
•2.Histologic (microscopic) changes: By Light microscope.
•3.Ultrastructural changes: By Electron microscope.

Gross
Examination:
kidney
Microscopic
Examination:
kidney
Electron
microscope
Examination:
kidney
Functional consequence
• They determine clinical features (symptoms & signs)
• Symptoms: Patient’s complain usually by its own words.

•Sign : seen only in living individual.
Prognosis
• Expected outcome (fate) of the disease.
▪ Good prognosis : suggests recovery is likely.
▪ Poor prognosis: suggests permanent disability or death.

Pathology classifications
General pathology: reactions of cells and tissues to abnormal stimuli.
Cell injury, inflammation and repair, hemodynamic disorders, genetic
disorders, immune system diseases, infectious disease and
environmental diseases.
Systemic pathology: alterations in specialized organs and tissues in

diseased status.
Subdivision of pathology
Anatomical/ surgical pathology or histopathology: Gross
examination and microscopic examination to reach a
diagnosis.
Clinical pathology: hematology, microbiology, immunology

and biochemistry.
Anatomic pathology
1-Autopsy.
2- Surgical pathology(Biopsy).
3- Cytopathology.
4- Frozen section.
Autopsy
• Examination of tissue obtained from dead bodies. It is important for:
• 1- Detection the cause of the death.
• 2- Medicolegal purposes.
• 3-Research studies.
Surgical pathology (Biopsy)
• Biopsy is derived from a Greek word = Bio –meaning LIFE &
Opsy – TO LOOK (view) ( looking at living tissue).
• Biopsy define as : pathological method through which the specimen of

tissue is removed either totally or partially from the living organism
for microscopic diagnostic examination.
Types of biopsy
• 1-Punch biopsy: e.g. GIT through endoscopy.
• 2-Core biopsy: e.g. Breast, liver , kidney and lung.
• 3- Incisional biopsy: Part of tissue removed, e.g. wide local excision of
breast.
• 4- Excisional biopsy: whole tissue removed, e.g. Mastectomy : removed
whole breast.
Punch biopsy: GIT
Core biopsy : Kidney
Wide local excision of breast
Mastectomy: breast
Cytopathology
• Examination of body fluids to detect any abnormal cells, such as malignant or
inflammatory cells.
1- Fluids: Urine. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
2- Discharge: Nipple discharge.
3- Touch imprint: Lymph node.
4- Fine needle aspiration(FNA): Thyroid and breast.
5- Cervicovaginal smear(PAP-smear) : are stained with Papanicolaou stain.

FNA
CSF
PAP smear
Touch imprint : Lymph node
Frozen section
Used for rapid diagnosis during surgery by using
refrigerated microtome cryostat, followed by
staining and microscopic examination
References
Thank you

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• Dr. Sarah Alsawmhi

• Assistant professor, Faculty of medicine

logos : meaning study ;

so Pathology = “The study of disease.”

It define as : study of structural (gross and microscopic) & functional

changes in cells, tissues & organs in response to injurious agents.".

• 1. Congenital diseases : are present at birth.

• 3. Idiopathic disease: In some instances, the underlying cause of a disease is

• Functional consequences : Symptoms and signs

II. Acquired: infectious, nutritional, chemical..

•1. Gross (macroscopic) changes: By naked eye.

•2.Histologic (microscopic) changes: By Light microscope.

•3.Ultrastructural changes: By Electron microscope.

• Symptoms: Patient’s complain usually by its own words.

▪ Poor prognosis: suggests permanent disability or death.

Systemic pathology: alterations in specialized organs and tissues in

Clinical pathology: hematology, microbiology, immunology

• 1- Detection the cause of the death.

Opsy – TO LOOK (view) ( looking at living tissue).

• Biopsy define as : pathological method through which the specimen of

1- Fluids: Urine. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

2- Discharge: Nipple discharge.

3- Touch imprint: Lymph node.

4- Fine needle aspiration(FNA): Thyroid and breast.

5- Cervicovaginal smear(PAP-smear) : are stained with Papanicolaou stain.

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