Pathology
Pathology is the study of the causes and effects of disease or injury. The word pathology also refers to the study of disease in general, incorporating a wide range of biology research fields and medical practices.
There are nine major areas of activity in pathology.
- Anatomical pathology deals with the tissue diagnosis of disease, usually from biopsy materials taken from a patient.
- Chemical pathology (biochemistry) detects electrolytes, enzymes, proteins, vitamins, hormones, tumour (cancer) markers, poisons and both therapeutic and illicit drugs.
- Forensic pathology deals with the medicolegal investigations of sudden or unexpected death.
- Genetics involves tests on chromosomes, DNA and specific biochemical markers to diagnose genetic diseases.
- Haematology deals with diseases which affect the blood and transfusion medicine.
- Immunology deals with allergies and auto-immune diseases.
- Microbiology deals with bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites. Microbiology is also involved in dealing with the control of infectious disease outbreaks and antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
- General Pathology covers all areas of pathology at less specialised levels.
- Clinical Pathology is similar to General Pathology but clinical pathologists do not perform anatomical pathology. Clinical Pathologists are usually trained in chemical pathology, microbiology, haematology and blood banking.