2 - What is Pathology?

Question 1

What is pathology

Answer 1

The study of the nature and cause of human disease

Question 2

Disease

Answer 2

An abnormal condition that affects the body of an organism

Question 3

Aetiology

Answer 3

The cause of a disease or condition. Can be inherited/ congenital or acquired

Question 4

Pathogenesis

Answer 4

cellular events, changes and reactions instigated by the aetiology that alter normal cellular processes

Question 5

Examples of pathogenesis

Answer 5

• Inflammation and pus formation
• Necrosis
• Neoplasia (malignant change –> cancer)

Question 6

Levels of examination for recognising pathology

Answer 6

• Macroscopic (Clinical exam, radiology)
• Microscopic (Light microscope)
• Ultrastructural (electron microscope, subcellular level e.g. cellular organelles)
• Genetic/molecular (Chromosomal, molecular, nucleic acid abnormalities)
• Functional (detect aberrent cellular functions)

Question 7

Symptoms

Answer 7

Things the patient feels, subjective (e.g. hot, cold, tired, headache)

Question 8

Signs

Answer 8

Physical findings, objective (temperature, heart rate, mass)

Question 9

3 phases of pathology testing

Answer 9

• Pre analytic phase (specimen received with request form)
• Analytic/testing phase (samples processed and results obtained)
• Post analytic phase (results validated)

Question 10

Immunodeficiency

Answer 10

Under activity of the immune system

Question 11

Autoimmunity

Answer 11

Misdirected activity of the immune system against the patient’s own tissues

Question 12

Allergy

Answer 12

Overactivity of the immune system to substances (allergens). Innocuous to most people

Question 13

Stain used for blood

Answer 13

Wright, Giemsa or Diff Quik stain

Question 14

Stain used for cells in suspension

Answer 14

Papanicolau stain

Question 15

Stain used for tissue

Answer 15

H&E