General — Histopathology

She switched to high power (x400). The nuclei—normally small, dark, and resting quietly at the base of each cell—were now large, hyperchromatic, and stratified. They elbowed each other for space, piling up three, four, five layers deep. Mitotic figures littered the field like car crashes at an intersection. One cell was caught mid-division, its chromosomes pulled toward opposite poles in a frantic, futile attempt at immortality.

is the microscopic study of diseased tissue to understand the signs and manifestations of illness. It serves as the "gold standard" for diagnosing complex conditions like cancer by identifying specific cellular changes. The Core Process: From Sample to Slide general histopathology

The tissue is placed in a fixative (usually formalin) to prevent decay and maintain structural integrity. She switched to high power (x400)

This tissue lines surfaces and cavities (skin, gut, blood vessels). In histopathology, pathologists pay close attention to epithelial layers because (cancers arising from epithelium) represent the majority of human malignancies. Changes in cell polarity, loss of differentiation, and invasion through the basement membrane are key diagnostic features. Mitotic figures littered the field like car crashes

The breakdown of cells due to aging, toxins, or metabolic stress. Necrosis: Programmed or accidental cell death. Neoplasia: The uncontrolled growth of cells (tumours). 2. The Journey of a Tissue Sample

Before a cell dies, it tries to adapt. Histopathology identifies: Shrinkage in cell size. Hypertrophy: Increase in cell size. Hyperplasia: Increase in the number of cells.