silent witness

Question 1

define the term pathology

Answer 1

the cause and effect of a disease

the classification of disease

Question 2

aetiology?

Answer 2

what caused the disease

Question 3

define the term autopsy

Answer 3

a post mortem exam to discover the cause of death or the extent of the disease

Question 4

describe the components of an autopsy

Answer 4

• external exam
• internal exam
• view organs
• remove organs
• remove brain
• examine organs
• return organs
• sew up

Question 5

when would a death be considered coroner or fiscal

Answer 5

when there is suspicion of foul play or malpractise or there is sudden/unexpected death.

fiscal = scotland coroner = England

Question 6

what is the purpose of the death certificate?

Answer 6

it is a legal purpose not biological that gives the ulimate causes of death, eg gi haemorrhage is the ultimate cause of death, not the fact that the patient had stomach cancer or was an alcoholic.

Question 7

what are the challanges of diagnosing breast cancer?

Answer 7

• common and increasing
• labour intensive
• screening programmes need to be effective and used
• relapse
• there has to be effective treatments

Question 8

why is pathology used in research?

Answer 8

it ensures and accurate and the most recent classification of disease, bridging the gap between science and medicine.

underpinning diagnostic testing and therefore patient care.