Pathology and Postmortem Procedures Overview

Pathology

the science that deals with the study of disease

Disease

a condition that disrupts structure or function in the body

Etiology

the study of the CAUSE of the disease

Infection

caused by microorganisms

Congenital

present at birth

Hereditary

transmitted via genetics

Idiopathic

unknown cause

Infiltration

entrance and accumulation of a pathogen

Nosocomial

from medical setting

Iatrogenic

from medical treatment

Metaplasia

normal -> abnormal tissue

Occupational disease

from work

Allergy

hypersensitivity

Deficiency

lack of something

Intoxication

state of being poisoned

General Pathology

deals with the study of the widespread processes of disease such as inflammation, degeneration, necrosis, or premature cellular death, repair, etc.

Degeneration

deterioration with functional damage

Inflammation

heat, swelling, redness, pain, functional damage

Necrosis

death of tissue

Microscopic Pathology

histopathology studies these changes on a microscopic level

Pathogenesis

the origin and development of a disease

Acute

quick onset short duration

Chronic

slow onset, long duration

Fulminating

rapid onset and usually fatal

Exacerbation

disease gets worse

Recurrent

re appears after going away

Febrile

fever is a sign

Metastasis

disease moves from one site to another

Recovery

a return to normal condition

Remission

signs and symptoms stop

Resolution

return to normal

Repair

damaged tissue is replaced

Regeneration

damaged cells replaced

Infestation

presence of macroscopic organisms

Atrophy

decrease in size or tissue/organ

Hyperplasia

increase in number of cells

Hypertrophy

increase in size of cells

Neoplasm

excessive and uncontrolled cell replication

Cachexia

generally not feeling well

Epidemiology

the study of the distribution and determinants of diseases and wellness in populations and the use of this data to enhance public health

Endemic

expected to occur continuously

Epidemic

expected disease but more cases than normal

Pandemic

widespread epidemic

Sporadic

occurs randomly

Prevalence

number of cases in a specific group/timeframe

Morbidity rate

cases per year in a population

Mortality rate

number of deaths in a population

Medicolegal pathology

goal of figuring out the cause and manner of death

Edema

accumulated fluid

Anasarca

generalized subcutaneous edema

Ascites

abdominal edema

Hydrocele

edema in sacculated cavity

Hydrothorax

edema in thorax

Discolorations

any abnormal coloration

C0 poisoning

cherry red

Cyanosis

blue, lack of o2

Petechiae

extravascular red purple

Pigmentation

pathological

Purpura

purple patches

Jaundice

yellow

Lividity

intravascular red blue

Tardieu spots

extravascular reds

Livor mortis

dependent tissues; red

Postmortem stain

extravascular red

Dehydration

loss of moisture from body tissue

Emaciation

excessive wasting away of the body

Nitrogenous waste

metabolic by products such as urea and uric acid that contain nitrogen and tend to neutralize formaldehyde

Purge

a postmortem evacuation of any substance from an external office of the body as a result of pressure

Autopsy

a postmortem examination of the organs and tissues of a body to determine cause of death or pathological condition

Full autopsy

includes y-incision + cranial

Partial autopsy

not specified in detail

Medicolegal or forensic pathology

Professionals who perform autopsies.

Medical examiner

Elected or appointed medical doctor.

Coroner

Elected or appointed individual who may or may not have medical training.

Procurement

The recovery of organs or tissues from a cadaver for transplantation.

Anatomical Gift Programs

Usually non-profit programs that provide cadavers for medical school programs.

Epidermis

The most superficial layer of the skin.

Dermis

The second deepest layer of the skin.

Hypodermis

The deepest layer of the skin.

Eccrine glands

Sweat glands that are all over the body.

Apocrine glands

Sweat glands that are in the axilla and genital area.

Sebaceous glands

Glands that secrete sebum.

Lesion

A circumcised area of pathologically altered tissue; an injury or a wound.

Abscess

A localized accumulation of pus, usually the result of a bacterial infection.

Ulcer

An open sore or lesion of skin or mucous membrane accompanied by sloughing of inflamed necrotic tissue.

Decubitus ulcer

Bed sore due to compression of tissue and lack of blood flow.

Acne

A clogged hair follicle that forms a lesion; can cause scarring.

Vesicle

Blister-like elevation of skin containing serous fluid.

Pustule

Small elevation of the skin containing pus.

Cyst

A closed sac or pouch with a definite wall that contains fluid, semi-fluid, or solid material.

Sebaceous cyst

A pouch of fluid occurring just under the skin.

Syphilitic Lesions

Lesions associated with syphilis which is a neurological disorder caused by TREPONEMA PALLIDUM BACTERIA.

Chancre

A type of ulcer forming at the site of exposure to T.

Pallidum

Occurs about 2-3 weeks after exposure

Secondary Syphilis

Various ulcerations of mucous membranes (3-12 weeks after chancre is healed)

Rash (syphilid)

All over the body including palms of hands and soles of feet

Tertiary Syphilis

Gumma: infectious syphilitic ulcer, central punched out necrotic area, inflammation and fibrous deterioration surrounding necrosis

Congenital Syphilis

Rash and lesions 4-8 weeks from birth

Seborrheic Dermatitis

Inflammatory conditions of the skin typically affecting the scalp; not contagious; can range from dandruff to a thick crust on the scalp; may be due to a fungal infection

Eczema

Usually occurs in flare ups; may types: Atopic Dermatitis: chronic; patches of dry skin, Contact Dermatitis: inflammatory reaction to an irritant