Pathologie

Pathologie, or pathology in English, is the branch of medicine that studies disease, its causes, mechanisms, and effects on structure and function. It links laboratory science with clinical practice by describing the morphological and molecular changes that accompany illness and by providing diagnostic information that guides treatment and prognosis. Pathology encompasses both the structural changes observed in tissues and organs (anatomical pathology) and the analysis of bodily fluids and laboratory tests (clinical pathology).

Anatomical pathology includes histopathology, cytopathology, and autopsy. Histopathology examines tissue architecture and cellular details to identify diseases such as cancer, inflammatory conditions, and degenerative disorders. Cytopathology analyzes individual cells, for example in screening tests or fine-needle aspirates. Autopsy investigates disease processes after death to determine cause and to document disease in populations. Clinical pathology covers laboratory medicine disciplines such as clinical chemistry, hematology, microbiology, immunology, transfusion medicine, cytogenetics, and molecular pathology. The field increasingly integrates genetic and molecular methods, enabling more precise diagnoses and personalized approaches to care.

Pathology informs patient care through diagnostic reports, intraoperative consultations (frozen sections), and participation in multidisciplinary teams. It also supports research, education, and the development of new diagnostic tests. Essential principles include quality control, standardized terminology, and close correlation with clinical information to minimize diagnostic errors.