Category Pathology

Breast

Common Clinical Problems From Breast Disease Pathological basis of breast signs and symptoms Sign or symptom Pathological basis Lump Diffuse Fibrosis, epithelial hyperplasia and cysts in fibrocystic change Discrete Neoplasm or solitary cyst Mobile Benign neoplasm (usually fibroadenoma) Tethered Invasive…

Endocrine system

Common Clinical Problems From Endocrine Disease Pathological basis of endocrine signs and symptoms Sign or symptom Pathological basis Signs or symptoms of hormone excess (hyperfunction) Endocrine gland hyperplasia caused by increased trophic stimulus to secretion Functioning neoplasm of endocrine gland…

Liver, biliary system and pancreas

Common Clinical Problems From Liver and Biliary System Disease Pathological basis of hepatic signs and symptoms Sign or symptom Pathological basis Jaundice Haemolysis (increased formation of bilirubin), liver disease (impaired conjugation and/or excretion) or biliary obstruction Dark urine Conjugated hyperbilirubinaemia…

Alimentary system

Open full size image Common Clinical Problems From Alimentary System Disease Pathological basis of gastrointestinal signs and symptoms Sign or symptom Pathological basis Dysphagia (difficulty in swallowing) Impaired neuromuscular function (e.g. multiple sclerosis) Obstruction (intrinsic or extrinsic) Heartburn (indigestion) Oesophageal/gastric…

Respiratory tract

Open full size image Common Clinical Problems From Respiratory Tract Disease Pathological basis of respiratory signs and symptoms Sign or symptom Pathological basis Sputum Clear or mucoid Purulent With blood Excess secretion from bronchial mucous glands (e.g. in asthma and…

Cardiovascular system

Common Clinical Problems From Cardiovascular Disease Pathological basis of cardiovascular signs and symptoms Sign or symptom Pathological basis Angina Myocardial ischaemia — due to spasm, atheroma or thrombosis of coronary arteries Abnormal blood pressure Hypertension Mostly ‘essential’ (primary, idiopathic) due…

Ageing and death

As complex organisms become older, so each species accumulates a characteristic series of changes, and perhaps an enumeration of those changes might be all we need to know about ageing. However, things are not that simple: some of these changes…

Neoplasia and carcinogenesis

General Characteristics of Neoplasms (Tumours) ➤ Tumours arise due to accumulation of multiple genetic alterations (e.g. mutations, deletions, translocations) and epigenetic changes (e.g. promoter methylation) in cells driving clonal evolution ➤ These changes result in abnormal (neoplastic) cell growth, forming…

Inflammation

Inflammation is the local physiological response to tissue injury. It is not, in itself, a disease, but is usually a manifestation of disease. Inflammation may have beneficial effects, such as the destruction of invading microorganisms and the walling off of…