definitions | Pathology Student

Embolus vs. thrombus

Here are a few very good questions about CNS infarcts. There are two types of CNS infarcts: red (hemorrhagic) and pale (ischemic). (more…)

Is metaplasia pathologic?

Here’s a good question someone asked about metaplasia.

Q. I have a question about metaplasia. It seems that the other types of altered cell activity are classified as either physiologic or pathologic. (more…)

How to tell apart aplastic anemia and pancytopenia

Q. How do you tell apart aplastic anemia and pancytopenia?

A. This is an interesting question, because we’re comparing a distinct disease (aplastic anemia) with a generalized blood finding (pancytopenia).

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Does “differentiated” mean it looks different?

Q. A question: why do you call a tumor “well-differentiated” when actually it is the LEAST different from the tissue of origin? Shouldn’t it be “low differentiated?” (more…)

Leukoerythroblastotic reaction

Here’s a long term: leukoerythroblastotic reaction. Despite its length, it’s a pretty good term, because it describes a reactive condition in which you see young red cells (erythroblasts) and young white cells (leuko-) out in the peripheral blood.

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