Introduction to Pathology

Question 1

Pathology

Answer 1

Literally the study (logos) of suffering (pathos).

Question 2

Humors

Answer 2

the basic fluids in the body:

blood, phlegm, black bile, yellow bile (serum)

Question 3

Three categories deaths can be classified into

Answer 3

1. deaths due to disease-causing microorganisms (e.g. AIDS, tuberculosis, the flu)
2. deaths due to degenerative pathological disorders like heart disease or strokes
3. deaths due to by-products of the social environment (e.g. suicide, murder, vehicular accidents)

Question 4

Etiology

Answer 4

underlying cause(s) of disease

Question 5

Pathogenesis

Answer 5

the mechanism that results from the manifestations of signs and symptoms in the body

Question 6

gross pathology

Answer 6

the study of the changes in the structure of the body that are readily seen with the unaided (naked) eye as a result of the disease

Question 7

histopathology

Answer 7

also known as microscopic pathology, the study of microscopic changes that cells tissues and organs undergo as a result of disease

Question 8

surgical pathology

Answer 8

the study of tissue specimens excised surgically during operations

Question 9

clinical pathology

Answer 9

the study of disease by means of body secretions, excretions, and other body fluids in the diagnosis of disease

Question 10

medicolegal pathology

Answer 10

also known as forensic pathology, this is the study of disease to ascertain the cause and manner of death

Question 11

physiological pathology

Answer 11

the study of changes in the body function due to disease

Question 12

pathological anatomy

Answer 12

also known as morbid anatomy, this is the study of structural changes in the body caused by disease. Includes gross pathology and histopathology.

Question 13

general pathology

Answer 13

focuses on the cellular and tissue responses to pathologic stimuli

Question 14

special pathology

Answer 14

deals with the specific features of disease in relation to particular organs or organ systems (systemic pathology)

Question 15

lesion

Answer 15

a circumscribed area of pathologically altered tissue; pathological change in structure visible with the naked eye

-could be caused by disease or wound

*lesions include boils, tumors, moles, scars scales, ulcers, or hives

Question 16

autopsy

Answer 16

necropsy; investigation into the circumstances of a person’s death

Question 17

cause of death

Answer 17

an injury or disease that produces a physiological derangement in the body that results in the death of the individual

Examples of cause of death:
-gunshot wound in the head; stab in the chest, lung cancer, or a blood clot in an artery

Question 18

mechanism of death

Answer 18

the physiological derangement produced by the cause of death that results in death

Examples of mechanism of death:
-bleeding, blood poisoning, or faulty heartbeat

Question 19

manner of death

Answer 19

generally classified on death certificates as either natural, homicide, suicide, accident, or undetermined/unclassified

Question 20

Rule of Nines

Answer 20

The extent of a burn expressed as a percentage of the body surface area. Assuming that the body surface area is 100 percent, head is 9%, front torso 18%, back 18%, lower extremities 18%, genitals 1%

Question 21

Severity of Burns

Answer 21

Four degrees of burn severity

1. first-degree: superficial, red skin, no blisters (minor sunburn)
2. second-degree: moist, blistered, red skin
3. characterized by necrosis of the epidermis and the dermis. On the surface skin has a white, leathery appearance
4. fourth-degree: incineration injuries (cremation)

Question 22

hypothermia

Answer 22

body temperature below 80 degrees F/ 27 C