Adaptive Response

The principal adaptive responses are hypertrophy, hyperplasia, atrophy, and metaplasia. If the adaptive capability is exceeded or if the external stress is inherently harmful, cell injury develops.

Within certain limits injury is reversible, and cells return to a stable baseline. However, severe or persistent stress results in irreversibel injury and death of affected cells.

Cell death is one of the most crucial events in the evolution of disease in any tissue or organ. It results from diverse causes, including ischemia (lack of blood flow), infections, toxins, and immune reactions. Cell death is also a normal or essential process in embryogenesis, the development of organs, and maintenance of homeostasis.

Cellular Response

Cells are active participants in their environment, constantly adjusting their structure and function to accommodate changing demands and extracellular stresses.

Cells tend to maintain their intracellular milieu within a fairly narrow range of physiologic parameters, that is to maintain homeostasis.

What Pathologists Use for Diagnoses?

Pathologists use a variety of molecular, microbiologic, and immunologic techniques to understand the biochemical, structural, and functional changes that occur in cells, tissues, and organs.

To render diagnoses and guide therapy, pathologists identify changes in the gross or microscopic appearance (morphology) of cells and tissues, and biochemical alterations in body fluids (such as blood and urine).

What is Pathology?

Literally translated, pathology is the study (logos) of suffering (pathos). It is a discipline that bridges clinical practice and basic science.

It involves the investigation of the causes (etiology) of disease as well as the underlying mechanism (pathogenesis) that result in the presenting signs and symptoms of the patient.

Cellular Adaptation

Cell Injury, Cell Death, and Adaptations is one topic among some topics given in Anatomical Pathology Course. It is well known that as cells encounter physiologic stresses or pathologic stimuli, they can undergo adaptation, achieving a new steady state and preserving viability and function. That is why the first topic important to understand pathological phenomena is to know the principle of cellular adaptation.