Transcript Pathology - busadmin

Pathology
Definition

Study of structure & functional changes in
tissues or organs which cause or are caused
by disease
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
Collection of specimens
Aspiration
drawing off fluid from a body cavity
Venepuncture
puncture of a vein to withdraw blood
specimen
removal of tissue for examination to
establish a diagnosis
a gauze coated stick used to take
bacterial specimens
analysing faeces of fat content
Biopsy
Swab
Faecal fat
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
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
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
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
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)
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
Lipids

Cholesterol

Fatty acids

Triglycerides
NB: Elevated levels can indicate disease, e.g.
arteriosclerosis
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
abnormal levels indicates damage
and presence of liver disease
Liver Function
Teats (LFTs)
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
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
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