1. Pathology

2. Definition
Study of structure & functional changes in tissues or organs which cause or are caused by disease

3. Branches of Pathology Haematology
study of blood i.e. nature, function & diseases of the blood
Histology
study of structure, function of body tissues
Immunology
study of Immunity & the body’s defense mechanisms
Cytology
study of the form & functions of body cells
Biochemistry
chemical composition of blood
Microbiology
study of microorganisms
Bacteriology
study of bacteria
Serology
study of serum
Clinical pathology
laboratory testing for diagnosis
Surgical pathology
use of surgery to diagnose

4. Collection of specimens
Aspiration
drawing off fluid from a body cavity
Venepuncture
puncture of a vein to withdraw blood specimen
Biopsy
removal of tissue for examination to establish a diagnosis
Swab
a gauze coated stick used to take bacterial specimens
Faecal fat
analysing faeces of fat content

5. Examination Culture and sensitivity
growth of microorganisms in special medium to test for specimens reaction to agents e.g. antibiotics
Microscopic appearance
appearance of organisms or tissue under magnification
Blood Count
number of blood cells in a given sample of blood
In vitro
in a glass – observations made outside of body
Autopsy
examination of the body after death
In vivo
observation made within the body

6. Abbreviations C&S culture & sensitivity Chol cholesterol MSU
mid stream urine
BUN
blood urea nitrogen
GTT
glucose tolerance test
U/A
urinalysis
LFT
liver function test
ESR
erythrocyte sedimentation rate LP
lumbar puncture
FBSL
fasting blood sugar level

7. Pathology results As an office worker you are required to identify
The patient’s identity i.e name, medical / reference number
The doctor who ordered the test
The type of sample
When the sample was collected
The doctor will sign the report when the results have been reviewed by him/her

8. Haematology Full Blood Count (FBC); Full Blood Examination (FBE)
Determines the amount of red &white blood cells per cubic metre
Haemaglobin (Hb)
Measures the protein iron in blood that carries oxygen
Haematocrit (Hct)
Measures the packed cell volume of red blood cells
Prothrombin index (PI)
measures the amount of time it takes blood to clot
Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)
measures the rate at which red blood cells settle in unclotted blood
Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA)
detects presence of specific antigen that increase in prostate cancer

9. Haematology Blood group & cross match (Gp & X Match)
Classifies blood then determines compatibility between donor and recipient
Serology Testing
Is applied for venereal diseases
e.g. used in AIDS – screens for antigens or antibodies to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

10. Biochemistry
Electrolytes and organic acids are essential for normal body function & metabolism
Examples include sodium, potassium, magnesium, chloride, bicarbonate, calcium
Can be measured in blood serum
Abnormal levels in blood can indicate tissue damage or various disorders

11. Lipids Cholesterol Fatty acids Triglycerides
NB: Elevated levels can indicate disease, e.g. arteriosclerosis

12. Biochemistry Urinalysis examines the chemical properties of urine
Creatinine test
measures the amount of creatinine in the urine. If elevated can indicate disturbance in kidney function
Creatinine Clearance
Measures the rate at which kidneys remove creatinine from the blood
Liver Function Teats (LFTs)
abnormal levels indicates damage and presence of liver disease

13. Cytology Study of formation, origin, structure, pathology of cells
E.g. Cells can be taken from cerebrospinal fluid lung bronchi, gastric fluid, bone marrow, cervix

14. Histopathology / histology
Study of tissue to identify presence of disease
Biopsy – small piece of tissue is obtained for examination
Removal of part or all of an organ for examination
Frozen Section – tissue removed at time of surgery & examined under microscope for a quick diagnosis before continuing the surgical procedure

15. Bacteriology
Study of disease produced by bacteria (microscopic plants & some can produce disease)
Uses specimens of blood, urine, spinal fluid, faeces or any body secretion
Cultures isolate infective organisms which grow
They can then be tested to determine an antibiotic that will destroy the organisms