Histopathology

Histopathology is the microscopic examination of tissue to identify disease. It uses tissue structure and cellular changes to support diagnosis and guide clinical decisions.

Surgical pathology: The diagnosis of disease through gross and microscopic examination of tissue removed during surgery or biopsy. Histopathology is a central method within this broader diagnostic practice.
Histology: The study of the microscopic structure of tissues. Histopathology interprets diseased tissue against knowledge of normal tissue structure.
Biopsy: The removal of cells or tissue from a living body for diagnostic examination. Biopsy provides tissue that can be examined histopathologically.
Radiology: The medical specialty that uses imaging techniques to diagnose and monitor disease. Imaging shows anatomy in the body, while histopathology examines sampled tissue directly.
Tissue fixation: The preservation of tissue structure and chemistry, commonly using formalin, before further laboratory processing. Fixation limits decay and preserves features needed for microscopic interpretation.
Cell biology: The study of cell structure, function, and behavior. Changes in cell organization and behavior underlie many microscopic disease patterns.
Cancer diagnosis: The process of determining whether cancer is present and identifying its type and extent. Tissue morphology and marker tests often establish a definitive cancer diagnosis.
Clinical pathology: The medical specialty that diagnoses disease through laboratory analysis of blood, body fluids, and other specimens. It contrasts laboratory testing of fluids and cells with tissue-architecture examination.
Paraffin embedding: A preparation method that infiltrates tissue with wax so it can be cut into thin sections. Embedding supports the tissue while sections are prepared for examination.
Tissue architecture: The spatial organization and relationships of cells and extracellular structures within a tissue. Architectural disruption can distinguish invasive disease from normal or reactive tissue.

Linked from 28 pages