Introduction to pathology
Lecturer Sonab khattak
University of Haripur
Lecture objective
At the end of this lecture the student will be able to
know
Pathology introduction
Different terminology
Branches of pathology
pathology
?
Definition
Patho means” suffering “ and logos means "study”
The” scientific study of disease is called pathology”. or
the alterations that occur when abnormal influences
(bacteria, viruses, etc.) affect cells, tissues, or body
systems.
It involves the investigation of the causes of disease and
the associated changes at the level of cells, tissue and
organ.
More specifically, pathology may be defined as
the "scientific study of the molecular,
cellular, tissue, or organ system in
response to injurious agents or adverse
influences."
Basic terminology of pathology
1. Disease
A disease may be defined as a "state in which an
individual exhibits an anatomical, physiological,
or biochemical deviation from the normal.” or
“any deviation from or interruption of the normal
structure or function of any part.
Disease is defined as any disturbance of the structure
and/or function of the body
every disease is associated with dysfunction at the level
of the organ, cell, or organelle.
Classification;
Inflammatory disease e.g tuberculosis , appendicitis
Degenerative disease e.g osteoarthritis
Neoplastic disease e.g lung cancer
Traumatic disease e.g fracture of bone.
Etiology
The term "etiology" refers to a "study of the cause
of a disease." An etiologic agent is the factor
(bacterium, virus, etc.) responsible for lesions or a
disease state.
Prognosis:
The term "prognosis" refers to the probably outcome of a
disease in a living individual. It is the clinician's estimate
of the severity and possible result of a disease.
Predication of the outcome of the disease it can be good
or bad.
Diagnoses
The term "diagnosis" refers to the "determination of
the nature of a disease expressed in a concise
manner."
Pathogenesis
The term "pathogenesis" refers to the "progressive
development (sequence of events) of a disease
from the time it is initiated to its final
conclusion in recovery or death.“
The mechanism causing the disease
Morphology: the structural features of the disease
Predisposing Causes of Disease: Factors which
make an individual more susceptible to a disease
(damp weather, poor ventilation, etc.)
Exciting Causes of Disease: Factors which are
directly responsible for a disease (bacteria,
viruses, hypoxia, chemical agents, etc.).
Mortality
Death ratio in a community.
Morbidity
Disease ratio in a community.
Types of disease
Acute
characteriesed by a sudden onset or rapid course.
Chronic
Slow onset or long duration .
Idiopathatic
Disease with unknown cause.
Teratogenic
Disease that are caused by drugs that cross the placenta
barrier and harm to fetus.
Contagious
Transmitted by direct or contact with skin.
Venereal
Transmitted by sexual contact.
Infectious
Caused by pathogenic microrganism.
Communicable
Transmitted by agents fomites , vector.
Clinical Significance: the functional features of the
disease
Symptoms: any indication of disease perceived by the
patient eg. Nausea , vomiting and headache.
Sign : objective findings noticed by the doctor on
examination of the patients. E.g. Murmur of the heart,
swelling of feet and jaundice etc.
Complication: new disease condition which might occur
during or after the usual course of the original disease.
Branches of pathology
1 .General pathology
The study of the basic alterations in tissues. These are
changes which apply to most of the organs or tissues
of the body and include such things as atrophy,
necrosis and inflammation..
2 .Systemic pathology
The study of the diseases of the organ systems of the
body such as the respiratory system, digestive system
and nervous system.
3. Gross pathology
The study of disease in which tissues and organs are examined with
the unaided or naked eye.
4. Cellular pathology
The study of diseased tissues and organs with the aid of a
microscope.
5.Surgical pathology
The study of tissues removed at the time of surgery.
6 .Clinical pathology
The study of disease by examination of blood, urine, feces, skin
scrapings, etc.
7. Immunue pathology
The study of diseases associated with abnormalities of
the immune mechanisms of the body.
8. Chemical pathology
The study of chemical changes in the fluids and
tissues of the body as the result of disease.
9. Physiological pathology
The study of the changes in the functions of organs or
parts of the body as a result of disease.
10.Geographical pathology
The study of the disease processes in population
groups in different parts of the word. As an example,
certain diseases of the heart and major blood vessels
in man are much more prominent in the United States
than in the Orient or other parts of the world.
Thank you
