student questions | Pathology Student

How to study for boards, part II

Today we’ll continue on in our little series of posts on how to study for boards. In part I, we talked about how to set up a study plan, and how to pick among all the resources available for students. (more…)

Adrenal cortical hypoplasia vs. hyperplasia

Q. What does it mean when Robbins says the adrenal cortices are hyper- and hypoplastic?

A. Hypoplastic adrenal cortices mean that the adrenal cortices have atrophied; hyperplastic adrenal cortices mean that they have expanded. (more…)

Why doesn’t aldosterone secretion depend on ACTH?

Q. I have a question about the secretion of aldosterone that I haven’t been able to figure out by searching online or looking in books (maybe I’m looking in the wrong places!). (more…)

What is an M-spike?

Q. Here’s a question from Twitter: Can you explain to me what the M protein in multiple myeloma is? (more…)

Why does renal failure cause hyperparathyroidism?

Q. Can you explain why patients with renal failure have hyperparathyroidism?

A. Yes! But first, a quick note about the parathyroid. (more…)

Is basal cell carcinoma really malignant?

Q. How can basal cell carcinoma be considered both malignant and invasive if it never metastasizes? (more…)

Even more on H. pylori

Q. I have a question about H. pylori. I understand that it’s mainly the host’s inflammatory response to the H. pylori‘s presence at the epithelial cell surface that causes the ulcers. (more…)

Are all autoimmune diseases caused by hypersensitivity reactions?

From time to time, I get questions regarding the connection between hypersensitivity reactions and autoimmune diseases. (more…)

Which bugs cause bloody diarrhea?

Q. I am wondering if you wouldn’t mind clarifying something for me about which bacteria are actually the ones that will cause BLOODY diarrhea vs watery diarrhea. (more…)