Anatomical pathology: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 08:10, 21 March 2025

Study of the morphological aspects of disease

Anatomical pathology (also known as morphological pathology) is a medical specialty that is concerned with the diagnosis of disease based on the gross, microscopic, chemical, immunologic, and molecular examination of organs, tissues, and whole bodies (autopsy). Anatomical pathology is one of two branches of pathology, the other being clinical pathology, the diagnosis of disease through the laboratory analysis of bodily fluids and tissues.

Subspecialties[edit]

Anatomical pathology is divided into several subspecialties, including:

Surgical pathology: The examination of tissues removed during surgery to help diagnose a disease and determine a treatment plan.
Cytopathology: The study of individual cells in disease, often used in cancer diagnosis.
Forensic pathology: The application of pathology to legal purposes, including the investigation of sudden or unexpected deaths.
Dermatopathology: The study of skin diseases at a microscopic level.
Neuropathology: The study of diseases of the nervous system tissue.

Techniques[edit]

Anatomical pathology involves a variety of techniques to examine tissues and cells:

Histopathology: The examination of tissues under a microscope after they have been stained with special dyes.
Immunohistochemistry: The use of antibodies to detect specific proteins in tissue sections.
In situ hybridization: A technique used to locate specific DNA or RNA sequences in tissue sections.
Electron microscopy: The use of electron microscopes to examine tissue at very high magnification.

Role in Medicine[edit]

Anatomical pathology plays a crucial role in the diagnosis and management of diseases. Pathologists work closely with other physicians to provide a definitive diagnosis, which is essential for determining the appropriate treatment. They also play a key role in cancer diagnosis, grading, and staging, which are critical for patient management.

Education and Training[edit]

To become an anatomical pathologist, one must complete medical school followed by a residency in pathology. This is often followed by a fellowship in a subspecialty area. Pathologists must be board certified to practice in many countries.

Gallery[edit]

Streptococcus pneumoniae meningitis, gross pathology
End-stage interstitial lung disease (honeycomb lung)
Villous adenoma of the sigmoid colon, gross pathology

Related pages[edit]

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-'''Anatomical Pathology''' is a medical specialty concerned with the diagnosis of disease based on the macroscopic, microscopic, biochemical, immunologic, and molecular examination of organs and tissues. As one of the primary diagnostic methods, it plays a crucial role in evidence-based medicine and patient care.
+{{Short description|Study of the morphological aspects of disease}}
+{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}}
+[[File:Breast_invasive_scirrhous_carcinoma_histopathology_(1).jpg|Breast invasive scirrhous carcinoma histopathology|thumb]]
+[[File:Breast_invasive_scirrhous_carcinoma_histopathology_(2)_HER2_expression.JPG|Breast invasive scirrhous carcinoma histopathology HER2 expression|thumb]]
+[[File:Pap_test_abnormal.JPG|Pap test abnormal|thumb]]
+'''Anatomical pathology''' (also known as '''morphological pathology''') is a medical specialty that is concerned with the diagnosis of disease based on the gross, microscopic, chemical, immunologic, and molecular examination of organs, tissues, and whole bodies (autopsy). Anatomical pathology is one of two branches of pathology, the other being [[clinical pathology]], the diagnosis of disease through the laboratory analysis of bodily fluids and tissues.
-== Overview ==
+==Subspecialties==
-[[Anatomical Pathology|Anatomical pathologists]] are physicians who assess and diagnose diseases by examining surgical specimens, including biopsies and entire organs, which are removed during either diagnostic procedures or surgery. They are integral in the detection of cancer, infectious diseases, and other pathological conditions affecting organs and tissues.
+Anatomical pathology is divided into several subspecialties, including:
-== Subspecialties ==
+* '''[[Surgical pathology]]''': The examination of tissues removed during surgery to help diagnose a disease and determine a treatment plan.
-Anatomical pathology encompasses several subspecialties:
+* '''[[Cytopathology]]''': The study of individual cells in disease, often used in cancer diagnosis.
-* [[Histopathology]] – the study of disease in tissues.
+* '''[[Forensic pathology]]''': The application of pathology to legal purposes, including the investigation of sudden or unexpected deaths.
-* [[Cytopathology]] – the study of disease in cells.
+* '''[[Dermatopathology]]''': The study of skin diseases at a microscopic level.
-* [[Forensic Pathology]] – determining the cause of death in the deceased.
+* '''[[Neuropathology]]''': The study of diseases of the nervous system tissue.
-* [[Dermatopathology]] – focusing on skin diseases.
-* [[Neuropathology]] – specializing in diseases of the nervous system.
-== Procedures and Techniques ==
+==Techniques==
-Anatomical pathologists employ various techniques to diagnose diseases:
+Anatomical pathology involves a variety of techniques to examine tissues and cells:
-* [[Gross Examination]] – visual inspection of surgical specimens.
-* [[Microscopy]] – using microscopes to examine cells and tissues.
-* [[Immunohistochemistry]] – detecting specific antigens in tissues for diagnosis.
-* [[Frozen Section Procedure]] – rapid microscopic analysis of a specimen.
-* [[Molecular Pathology]] – examining genes and molecules within tissues and cells.
-== Training and Certification ==
+* '''[[Histopathology]]''': The examination of tissues under a microscope after they have been stained with special dyes.
-To become an anatomical pathologist, one must:
+* '''[[Immunohistochemistry]]''': The use of antibodies to detect specific proteins in tissue sections.
-* Complete medical school and earn an MD or DO degree.
+* '''[[In situ hybridization]]''': A technique used to locate specific DNA or RNA sequences in tissue sections.
-* Undergo residency training in pathology.
+* '''[[Electron microscopy]]''': The use of electron microscopes to examine tissue at very high magnification.
-* Subspecialize further through fellowships.
-* Obtain certification from a recognized medical board such as the [[American Board of Pathology]].
-== Role in Patient Care ==
+==Role in Medicine==
-Anatomical pathology is fundamental in patient care, with pathologists working closely with surgical teams to:
+Anatomical pathology plays a crucial role in the diagnosis and management of diseases. Pathologists work closely with other physicians to provide a definitive diagnosis, which is essential for determining the appropriate treatment. They also play a key role in cancer diagnosis, grading, and staging, which are critical for patient management.
-* Provide rapid diagnoses during surgery.
-* Ensure the correct classification of tumors.
-* Guide treatment decisions based on pathological findings.
-== Research and Advances ==
+==Education and Training==
-Anatomical pathology is also a field rich in research, with ongoing advancements in:
+To become an anatomical pathologist, one must complete medical school followed by a residency in pathology. This is often followed by a fellowship in a subspecialty area. Pathologists must be board certified to practice in many countries.
-* [[Digital Pathology]] and telepathology.
-* The development of new biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis.
-* The integration of pathology with personalized medicine.
-== Challenges ==
+== Gallery ==
-The field of anatomical pathology faces challenges such as:
+<gallery>
-* Staying current with rapid advances in molecular diagnostics.
+File:Streptococcus_pneumoniae_meningitis,_gross_pathology_33_lores.jpg|Streptococcus pneumoniae meningitis, gross pathology
-* Managing the increasing complexity of pathological diagnoses.
+File:End-stage_interstitial_lung_disease_(honeycomb_lung).jpg|End-stage interstitial lung disease (honeycomb lung)
+File:Villous_adenoma_of_the_sigmoid_colon,_gross_pathology.jpg|Villous adenoma of the sigmoid colon, gross pathology
+</gallery>
-== Importance ==
+==Related pages==
-Anatomical pathology is essential in the continuum of healthcare, providing the foundation for definitive diagnosis and guiding the appropriate course of treatment for various diseases.
+* [[Pathology]]
+* [[Histology]]
+* [[Biopsy]]
+* [[Autopsy]]
 [[Category:Pathology]]
 [[Category:Medical specialties]]
-[[Category:Anatomical pathology]]
-{{stub}}
-{{pathology}}