descriptive pathology

Question 1

each organ or specimen is described in detail, noting in particular:

6 things

Answer 1

1. size/weight
2. shape
3. color
4. consistency
5. location
6. distribution

Question 2

how is size described

Answer 2

• centimeters or millimeters
• size should be given in 3 dimensions except when lesion is only on the surface

Question 3

how is weight described

Answer 3

• kilograms, grams, milligrams
• body weight is important to verify abnormal weights of organs in relation to body weight

Question 4

how is shape described

Answer 4

• external appearance, includes contour, surface characteristics, consistency, and color
• include shape, margins, tips and bases, surface appearance and surface texture
• ex: spheroid, ovoid, oblong, circular, irregular, nodular, etc.

Question 5

how is color described

Answer 5

• use primary, secondary, or other common colors
• “pale, bright, dark” should not stand alone

Question 6

how is consistency described

Answer 6

• only evaluated by touch
• ex: soft, firm, rubbery, hard, caseous, viscous, spongy, etc

Question 7

how is location described

Answer 7

• specific parts of the specimen
• ex: organ, lobe, surface, serosa, parenchyma, cortex, medulla, lumen, mucosa, capsule, vessels, etc.

Question 8

how is distribution described

Answer 8

• focal: single area of necrosis
• multifocal: multiple areas of necrosis in an organ
• diffuse: all cells involved
• zonal or regional: ex - centrilobular hepatocellular necrosis from a toxin, wedge-shaped areas of subendocardial myocardial necrosis
• symmetrical: bilateral in paired or symmetrical organs

Question 9

what is a morphologic diagnosis made of

5 things

Answer 9

1. severity (minimal, mild, moderate, severe)
2. distribution (focal, multifocal, diffuse, etc)
3. time (acute, subacute, chronic)
4. lesion (itis, opathy, infarct, oma, sarcoma, hemorrhage, etc)
5. anatomic site (nephr, hepato, encephal, derm, myocard, pneumo, etc.)