Introduction to Pathology and Disease Processes Flashcards
What is pathology?
Study of disease (“pathos” = suffering)
- observation and interpretation of disease causes, effects, pathways and sequelae (outcomes)
Anatomic pathologist
Studies gross and microscopic tissue to determine how structure changes in disease
Clinical pathologist
Studies individual cells & clinical parameters (blood values, etc.)
What are the 6 disease processes?
- Degeneration & Necrosis
- Infection/ Inflammation
- Vascular Disturbances
- Growth Disturbances
- Mineral/ pigments
- Structural disturbances
Degeneration & Necrosis
Tissue destruction and death
Infection/ Inflammation
Blood cells +/- agents added to the tissue
Vascular Disturbances
Changes to blood or fluid circulation in the body
Growth Disturbances
Tissues that grow smaller, larger, or different than expected
Mineral/ pigments
Materials added to cells & tissues
Structural disturbances
Fracture, rupture, displacement, laceration, etc.
Pathogenesis
(HOW and WHEN)
- the course of disease, From A > B
- TIME course of disease (when and how did disease start)
Etiology
The cause (WHY?)
Includes:
- agents of disease (bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, etc.)
- host conditions (nutritional status, cancer, etc.)
- external factors- physical trauma, environmental conditions
- may have more than one cause (murder)
Diagnosis
The summary answer, or answers, to the original questions
Morphologic Diagnosis
“Acute fibrinous pericarditis”
Etiologic Diagnosis
morphologic diagnosis + cause
“Traumatic reticulopericarditis”
