Lecture 1: Introduction to the study of disease

Question 1

Describe the difference between morbid anatomy,
Cytology/Histopathology and Molecular Pathology

Answer 1

Morbid anatomy - study of diseases organs and tissues, visible, gross exam

Histopathology/Cytology - microscopic study of tissues, shape and structure, loss of structure indicates diseased state (H tissues, C-cells)

Molecular pathology - analysis of molecules like DNA, RNA etc. signalling pathways often looked at

Question 2

What is the difference between anatomical and general pathology

Answer 2

anatomical - clinical, macro and microscopic study of tissue, observational

general - mechanisms of disease, study of processes underlying disease, experimental

Question 3

Define Aetiology

Answer 3

cause or origin on disease

Question 4

Define pathogenesis

Answer 4

mechanism of disease development

patho - suffering
genesis - mechanism

Question 5

Explain the histology of Crohns disease

histology - tissues, what can you see

Answer 5

fissures, fibrosis, disordered epithelial crypts, granuloma

Question 6

What is the aetiology of Crohns disease?

what caused the disease in the tissue

Answer 6

1. genetic suceptibility
2. gut flora
3. environmental
4. host immune response

its a multifactorial disease, combination of causes

Question 7

Explain the pathogenesis of Crohns disease

give and example

Answer 7

1. environmental trigger: infection leading to mucosal damage
2. damage/bacterial invasion: leads to acute inflammation and healing
3. A genetic deficiency in innate immunity can lead to: inability to remail damage or kill invading microbes (see histology)
4. an uncontrolled immune response to bacetria damages the colon wall and can result in: chronic inflammation and persisten infection

clear that this pathogenesis is a domino effect