Pathology notes

Pathology

The study of disease including its causes development effects and diagnosis

Histology

The study of normal tissues under a microscope

Cytology

The study of individual cells or small groups of cells

Specimen

A tissue fluid or cell sample collected for examination

Biopsy

Removal of a small tissue sample for diagnosis

Gross Examination (Grossing)

Examination of a specimen with the naked eye before microscopic analysis

Fixation

Preservation of tissue to prevent decay and maintain structure

Formalin

A preservative solution commonly used to fix tissue specimens

Tissue Processor

A machine that prepares tissue for embedding by removing water and infiltrating paraffin wax

Paraffin Embedding

The process of surrounding tissue with wax so it can be sliced into thin sections

Microtome

An instrument that cuts thin sections of paraffin embedded tissue

Cryostat

A refrigerated microtome used to cut frozen tissue sections

Frozen Section

Rapid preparation and examination of tissue during surgery for immediate diagnosis

Slide

A glass surface that holds tissue sections for microscopic examination

Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) Stain

The most common stain in pathology where nuclei stain blue purple and cytoplasm stains pink

Magnification

Enlargement of an image under a microscope

Nucleus

The part of a cell that contains DNA and controls cell activities

Cytoplasm

The material inside a cell surrounding the nucleus

Normal Cell

A cell with expected size shape and organization

Abnormal Cell

A cell showing changes that may indicate disease

Atypia

Abnormal appearance of cells that may suggest precancerous or cancerous changes

Dysplasia

Abnormal cell growth that can be a precursor to cancer

Hyperplasia

An increase in the number of cells in a tissue

Hypertrophy

An increase in the size of existing cells

Metaplasia

Replacement of one mature cell type with another mature cell type

Neoplasm

An abnormal growth of tissue also known as a tumor

Tumor

A mass formed by abnormal cell growth

Benign

Noncancerous and does not invade nearby tissues or spread

Malignant

Cancerous and capable of invasion and metastasis

Carcinoma

Cancer arising from epithelial cells

Adenocarcinoma

A carcinoma arising from gland forming epithelial tissue

Metastasis

The spread of cancer from one part of the body to another

Invasive Cancer

Cancer that has spread beyond its site of origin into surrounding tissues

Margin

The edge of tissue removed during surgery that is examined for remaining cancer cells

Pap Smear

A test used to detect abnormal cervical cells

Squamous Cells

Flat epithelial cells commonly found in the cervix skin and other surfaces

HPV (Human Papillomavirus)

A virus associated with cervical dysplasia and cervical cancer

LSIL

Low grade squamous intraepithelial lesion indicating mild abnormal cervical cell changes

HSIL

High grade squamous intraepithelial lesion indicating more severe precancerous cervical cell changes

Diagnosis

Identification of a disease based on examination and testing

Differential Diagnosis

A list of possible diagnoses that could explain the findings

Pathology Report

The official document describing microscopic findings and diagnosis

Dictation

Verbal recording of findings that become part of the pathology report

Microscopic Examination

The evaluation of cells and tissues under a microscope to identify disease

Epithelial Tissue

Tissue that covers body surfaces lines organs and forms glands

Connective Tissue

Tissue that supports binds and protects organs and structures

Mitosis

The process by which a cell divides to form two identical daughter cells

Mitotic Figure

A cell caught in the process of division visible under the microscope

Cellular Morphology

The size shape and appearance of cells under microscopic examination

Nuclear Pleomorphism

Variation in the size and shape of cell nuclei often seen in cancer