(W1) Principles of Pathology Flashcards
What is pathology? What are the two types of pathology studied?
The study of disease:
- The study of the structural, biochemical and functional changes in cells tissues and organs that underlie disease
Two types:
- general pathology; reactions of cells and tissues to abnormal stimuli and inherited defects
- systemic pathology: specific disease processes as they affect particular organs and systems
What are the 4 components of pathology?
- aetiology
- pathogenesis
- molecular and morphological changes
- functional derangements and clinical manifestations
What is aetiology and what are the 2 classes of aetiology?
Cause
Two classes:
- genetic: inherited mutations, disease associated gene variants etc
- acquired: infectious, nutritional, chemical, physical
can be a combination of both
What is pathogenesis?
sequence of events in the response of cells and tissues to the aetiologic agent. From initial stimulus to the ultimate expression of the disease
Therapeutic pathways often target specific pathways within the pathogenesis of the disease
What are morphological changes and molecular changes?
Morphological changes:
- structural changes in cells, tissues or organs
- may be characteristic of a disease or diagnostic of an aetiological agent
Molecular changes:
- changes in the molecular and/or immunological expression in disease states
What are functional derangements?
the end result of genetic, biochemical and structural changes in cells and tissues
What are clinical manifestations (signs)?
the result of functional abnormalities
How are the principles of pathology related?
- almost all forms of disease start with a molecular or structural alteration in cells (first proposed by Rudolf Virchow)
- injuries to cells and the extracellular matrix ultimately lead to organ injury
- this determines the morphological and clinical patterns of disease