Introduction to Pathology

Question 1

Define pathology

Answer 1

The study of structural, biochemical and functional changes that underlie disease

Question 2

Define general pathology

Answer 2

Basic response of cells and tissues

Question 3

Define systemic pathology

Answer 3

Alterations in specialised organs and tissues

Question 4

Define anatomic pathology

Answer 4

Examination of tissues (before/after death)

Question 5

Define clinical pathology

Answer 5

Examination of cells, blood and body fluids during life

Question 6

Describe aetiology (internal and external)

Answer 6

Cause of disease

• Internal e.g. ageing, genetic defects
• External e.g.agents and deficiencies

Question 7

Describe pathogenesis

Answer 7

Mechanisms of disease development

- the sequence of events involving the response of cells and tissues to agent

Question 8

Describe molecular and morphologic change

Answer 8

Biochemical (molecular) and structural (morphologic) alterations in responce to agent

Question 9

Describe inflammation

Answer 9

Vascular and interstitial changes in responce to tissue injury

Question 10

Describe healing

Answer 10

Repair of injured tissue

Question 11

Describe thrombosis

Answer 11

Formation of a fibrin and platelet aggregation within a vascuar lumen

Question 12

Describe Neoplasia

Answer 12

Uncontrolled mitosis leading to an expanding mass of uncontrolled cells

Question 13

Describe metabolic dysfunction

Answer 13

Metabolic imbalances leading to accumulation of nutrients

Question 14

Describe Necrosis

Answer 14

Death of cells and tissues in a living animal

Question 15

Describe rigor mortis

Answer 15

Contractions of muscles after death

Question 16

Describe algor mortis

Answer 16

Gradual cadaver cooling

Question 17

Describe Livor mortis

Answer 17

Gravitational pooling of blood to the downward side of the animal

Question 18

Describe Post Mortem clotting

Answer 18

Several hours after death - occurs in the heart and blood vessels

Question 19

Describe Haemoglobin Imbibition

Answer 19

Red staining of tissue due to blood vessel wall lysis

Question 20

Describe Bile Imbibition

Answer 20

Staining of gall bladder yellow/green by bile

Question 21

Describe Pseudomelanosis

Answer 21

Blue-green discolouration of tissue by iron sulphide

Question 22

Describe the cause of post mortem bloating

Answer 22

Result of post mortem bacterial gas formation

Question 23

Describe the cause of post mortem softening

Answer 23

Due to autolysis of cells and connective tissue

Question 24

Describe the cause of post mortem lens opacity

Answer 24

Occurs when a carcass is very cold/ frozen