This document provides an introduction to pathology, outlining key figures in the field and subdivisions of pathology. It defines pathology as the study of structural, biochemical and functional changes in cells, tissues and organs that underlie disease. Pathology is broadly divided into general pathology, which deals with general disease principles, and systemic pathology, which studies diseases pertaining to specific organs and body systems. Systemic pathology includes histopathology, cytopathology, hematology, microbiology, chemical pathology, immunology, experimental pathology, geographic pathology, medical genetics, and molecular pathology.

1. WELCOME TO
PATHOLOGY
DEPARTMENT

2. FATHER OF PATHOLOGY: VIRCHOWS
FATHER OF HISTOLOGY: FRANCOIS
BICHAT
FATHER OF MICROSCOPY: ANTONY VAN
LEEUWENHOEK
FATHER OF MICROBIOLOGY: LOUIS
PASTEUR

3. INTRODUCTION TO PATHOLOGY
 The word PATHOLOGY is derived from two Greek
words-
‘Pathos’ meaning suffering and ‘logos’ meaning
study.
 Pathology is a study of the structural,
biochemical and functional changes in cells,
tissues and organs that underlie disease.

4.  The knowledge and understanding of pathology is
essential for all would be doctors and general
practitioners.
 Unless they know the causes and mechanism of
disease and understand the language spoken by the
pathologists in the form of laboratory reports.
 They would not be able to institute appropriate
treatment or suggest preventive measures to the
patient.

5. HEALTH AND DISEASE
 ‘Health- complete physical, mental and social well
being, not merely an absence of disease.
 ‘Disease- is expression of discomfort due to
structural or functional abnormality.
 ‘Illness- is the reaction of individual to disease in
the form of symptoms.

6. TERMINOLOGY IN PATHOLOGY
 ‘Patient- is a person affected by the disease.
 ‘Lesion- is characteristic changes in tissue and cells.
 ‘Morphology- is examination of diseased tissue.
 ‘Etiology- is the cause of the disease.

7.  ‘Pathogenesis- is the mechanism by which the
disease is produced.
 ‘Physical signs- are the functional implications of
the disease felt by the patient.
 Earlier concept of disease-it was the outcome of
‘curse’ or ‘evil’ eye of spirits.

8.  Pathology is broadly divided into two categories:
1. General pathology
2. Systemic pathology

9. SUBDIVISION OF PATHOLOGY
 General pathology-deals with general principle of
disease.
 E.g inflammation ,cancer, ageing.
 Systemic pathology-Study of disease pertaining
to the specific organs and body systems.
It is further divided in to following branches….

10. 1.HISTOPATHOLOGY
a. gross or macroscopic examination
b. microscopic examination
 It is further divided in to
a. Surgical pathology
b.Forensic pathology i.e. autopsy
2.CYTOPATHOLOGY 1.Exfoliative cytology
2.FNAC

11.  3.HAEMATOLOGY-deals with the disease of blood
and blood related components.
 4.MICROBIOLOGY-deals with the study of
microorganisms.
 5.CHEMICAL PATHOLOGY-analysis of
biochemical constituent of blood, urine, semen,CSF
etc.
 6.IMMUNOLOGY-detection of abnormalities in
the immune system of the body.

12.  7.EXPERIMENTAL PATHOLOGY -study of disease
in experimental animal.
 8. GEOGRAPHIC PATHOLOGY-study of diseases in
populations in different parts of world.
 9.MEDICAL GENETICS-it deals with the relationship
between heredity and disease.
 10.MOLECULAR PATHOLOGY-Detection and
diagnosis of abnormalities at the level of DNA.

13. Thank you