What is Pathology?
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What is Pathology?
Pathology is the scientific study of disease.
It is the basis for the understanding and practice of modern medicine.
Clinical Pathology includes the following subdivisions:
Histopathology: Diagnosis of disease in tissues
Cytopathology: Diagnosis of disease in isolated cells
Haematology: Disorders of blood
Microbiology: Infectious diseases and organisms responsible
Immunology: Specific defence mechanisms of the body
Chemical pathology: Chemical changes in tissues and fluids
Toxicology: The effects of known or suspected poisons
Forensic pathology: Pathology application to legal purposes and investigation of sudden and unexplained death
Molecular pathology: Molecular study of disease
Prospective undergraduate students wishing to develop a career in Pathology should note that a medical degree must first be obtained, after which a speciality in pathology may be undertaken. More information can be obtained at the Royal College of Pathologists website here.