Introduction to Pathology

Brig (R) Dr Shoaib Nayyar Hashmi

Principal & Head of the Department
Pathology
CMH KHARIAN MEDICAL COLLEGE
Army Medical College
AFIP
Queen Elizabeth Hospital
Birmingham
College of Physicians & Surgeons
 Definition of pathology
It is the “Scientific study of disease and it’s

diagnosis" .
"scientific study of the molecular, cellular, tissue,
or organ system response to injurious agents."

Pathology serves as a "bridge" or "link" between the

preclinical sciences (anatomy, physiology, ……etc.) and
the courses in clinical medicine.
 What is the Disease?

 It is the “State in which an individual

exhibits an anatomical, physiological, or
biochemical deviation from the normal”

•Disease may be defined as :

an abnormal alteration of structure or

function in any part of the body.
 Basic Language of Pathology

In order for a subject or course to

be meaningful, one should become
familiar with the basic terminology
applicable to that subject.
 Pathology is the study of suffering (Latin
word ) !
– Logos = study
– Pathos= suffering
 • Etiology = Cause
 • Pathogenesis = sequence of events
 • Morphology = structural alterations in
cells and tissues
 – Gross = Changes in the tissue or organ
 – Microscopy = Changes noted under a
light microscope
 Classification of Diseases:
 Developmental – genetic, congenital.
 Acquired:
*Inflammatory – Trauma, infections, immune,
etc.
*Neoplastic – tumors cancers
*Degenerative – ageing.
*Metabolic.
*Iatrogenic - Drug induced.
 Branches of Pathology
 Microbiology
 Hematology
 Chemical Pathology
 Histopathology
 Learning Pathology:
 General Pathology
 Common changes in all tissues. e.g.. Inflammation,
cancer, ageing, edema, hemorrhage ….etc.
 Systemic Pathology
 Discussing the pathologic mechanisms in relation to
various organ systems e.g. CVS, CNS, GIT…..etc.
 What should we Know About A Disease
• Definition.
• Epidemiology – Where & When.
• Etiology – What is the cause?
g y
• Pathogenesis - Evolution of dis.
o lo
• Morphology - Structural Changes a t h
P
• Functional consequences
• Management
• Prognosis
• Prevention
 Pathology focuses on 4 aspects of disease:
 ETIOLOGY: Cause of disease.
 PATHOGENESIS:
Mechanisms of development of disease.
 MORPHOLOGY:
The structural alterations induced in cell and tissues.
 FUNCTIONAL CONSEQUENCES:
Functional results of the morphologic changes, as
observed clinically.
 Etiology
“Study of the cause of a disease"

Knowledge of etiology remains the backbone of:

 Disease diagnosis
 Understanding the nature of diseases
 Treatment of diseases.
 Etiology ……

 An etiologic agent :

is the factor (bacterium, virus, etc.) responsible for lesions or a

disease state.

1- Predisposing Causes of Disease:

Factors which make an individual more susceptible to a disease (damp

weather, poor ventilation, smoking , etc.)

2- Exciting Causes of Disease:

Factors which are directly responsible for a disease (hypoxia, chemical

agents…. etc.). 
 Etiology

Disease Disease
Disease
Disease
Disease

•One etiologic
One etiologic agent • Several etiologic
agent
- agents one
several diseases,
one disease, as Malaria. disease, as diabetes .
as smoking.
 Etiology:
What is the cause?
 Environmental agents:
• Physical
• Chemical
• Nutritional Multifactorial:
As Diabetes,
• Infections Hypertension
• Immunological Cancer

• Psychological
 Genetic Factors:
• Age
• Genes
 pathogenesis
The sequence events in the response of the cells or
tissues to the etiologic agent, from the initial
stimulus to the ultimate expression of the
disease,”from the time it is initiated to its final
conclusion in recovery or death” 

The core of the science of pathology —

the study the
pathogenesis of the disease.
 Morphology: Structural Changes

Structural changes in
disease.
Tumor in a cancer.
Ulcer in an infection.
Atrophy in dementia.

Gross & Microscopic.

 Technique of Morphology
Gross appearance:
size, shape
weight
color
consistency
surface
edge, section
 Histologic and cytologic
observation:
most common and basic formalin fixed
→ HE (hematoxylin and eosin) stained

Hemangioma of ventrical wall

 Molecular biology technique
1. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
2. DNA sequencing
3. Biochip technique
(1) Gene chip (DNA chip)
(2) Protein chip (protein microarray)
(3) Tissue chip (tissue microarray)
 Diagnosis
 Common specimens required for testing
and diagnosis of diseases
 Blood
 Urine
 Stool
 Biopsy
 Fluids
 Swabs
 Lab Investigations
 Hematological:
 Blood Tests ( Complete blood picture)
 Bone Marrow Examination
 Hemoglobin Studies
 Histopathological:
 Biopsy
 Frozen Section
 FNAC
 Chemical:
 Blood Chemistry
 Tumor markers
 Electrophoresis
 Endocrine.
 Microbiology:
 Serological Tests
 Blood Culture
 PCR
 prognosis

 Expected outcome of the disease, It is the

clinician's estimate of the severity and possible
result of a disease. 

Robbins Basic Pathology . Page 1

‫وقل ربى زدنى علما‬
‫طه ‪114‬‬

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