Pathology 2: Macroscopic pathology Flashcards
The four whats when submitting a sample?
What did you see?
What did you do?
What do you think? (differential diagnosis)
What do you want? (neoplasm, inflammation, surgical margins)
Elements of macroscopic description
- Distribution
- Color
- Outline
- Shape
- Demarcation (margins)
- Size (Absolute vs relative)
- Texture
- Consistency (watery, soft, firm, hard)
- Extension (%)
Distribution descriptors
Focal
Focally extensive
multifocal
Multifocal to coalescing
Diffuse
Unilateral/bilateral
Bilateral symmetrical
Milliary
Disseminated
Embolic
Transmural
Focal
Existing in one distinct spot
Focally extensive
Existing in one distinct spot but compressing and affecting other structures
multifocal
Existing in various distinct spots (more than one)
Multifocal to coalescing
Existing in various distinct spots and spreading/joining into one another
Diffuse
Whole organ being affected with no focal lesions
Unilateral/bilateral
On one side or both sides
Bilateral symmetrical
On both sides and symmetrical
Milliary
Many focal spots causing complete coverage of area
Disseminated
one in which a localized infection spreads (disseminates) from one area of the body to other organ systems
Transmural
Completely penetrating through an organ
Color descriptors
White
Red
Yellow
Green
Black
Meaning of white discoloration
Inflammation
Necrosis
Mineral
Keratin
Fibrosis
Urates
Lipids
Bone
Meaning of red discoloration
Hemorrhages
Congestion
Hyperemia
Meaning of yellow discoloration
Inflammation
Bilirubin
Fat
Myelin
Decomposition
Meconium
Fibrin
Meaning of green discoloration
Biliary pigments
Eosinophilic
Inflammation
Necrosis
Algae or Fungi
Hemosiderin
Meaning of Black discoloration
Melanin
Blood
Necrosis
Fasciola species (parasite) pigment
Exogenous carbon
Outline descriptors
Raised or widened
Depressed
Raised/widened meaning
Something was added:
-Fluid: edema or hemorrhages
-Cells: inflammation, neoplasia
-Gas: usually bacterial
Depressed meaning
Something was removed:
-Necrosis
-Hypoplasia/Aplasia (growth)
- Athrophy
Shape descriptors
Triangular
Rhomboidal
Spherical
Amorphous
Cavitated
Linear
Triangular lesions shape meaning
Usually a vascular region at “tip” which is an occluded vessel
Rhomboidal lesions shape meaning
Usually vascular origin
Spherical lesions shape meaning
Usually vascular or cysts
Amorphous shape definition
without a clearly defined shape or form
Cavitated shape definition and meaning
to form cavities or bubbles.
Neoplasia with fibrosis
Pox having central necrosis and peripheral hyperplasia
Linear meaning
Distention of a pre-existing anatomical structure
