Introduction to Pathology

Question 1

What are the different types of Epithelial cells? (3)

Answer 1

1. Squamous - Thin and Flat
2. Columnar - Oblong shaped
3. Cuboidal - All sides equal

• Urothelium and Urothelial umbrella cells in Urinary tract?

Question 2

What are the types of Squamous Epithelial cells with example? (2)

Answer 2

1. Stratified Squamous cells - Cells lined on top of each other e.g Oesophagus
2. Keratinised Stratified Squamous cell - Have keratin which makes it impervious to damage and waterproof. e.g Skin

Other squamous epithelium lined tissues: Mouth and tongue, Anal Canal, Vagina, Cervix

Question 3

What organs do Columnar Epithelium line? (2)

Answer 3

Mucosal Organs :

1. Respiratory Tract (Trachea and Bronchi
2. Gastrointestinal tract (stomach, small and large intestines (with crypts))

Question 4

What is the structure of Columnar cells? (1)

What are the differences in columnar cells in different organs? (3)

Answer 4

Columnar cells are oblong shaped, tall and have elongated nuclei, with goblet cells which secrete mucus.

1. Large Intestine has crypts
2. Small Intestine has Villi
3. In Respiratory Tract, they are PSEUDOSTRATIFIED and ciliated. Pseudostratfied means not all nuclei reach surface.

Question 5

What organs are lined by Cuboidal Cells? (4)

Answer 5

Organs which secrete specialised fluids.

• Salivary Glands
• Sweat Glands
• Endocrine Glands which secrete hormones
• Mammary glands that secrete milk

Question 6

Where is the myometrium, what type of muscle is it and what are the shape of the nuclei? (3)

Answer 6

The myometrium is Smooth muscle in the Uterus. The nuclei are cigar shaped.

Allows Uterus to withstand pressure.

Question 7

What is Lipofuschin? (1)

Answer 7

It is brown pigment produced from wear and tear to muscle in heart

Question 8

What are Examples of Connective tissue? (2)

Answer 8

1. Bone, cartilage and fibrous tissue (e.g tendons)

2. Fat - for protection, Insulation and energy source

Question 9

What is mesentary? (1)

Answer 9

A a ring of fat tissue which attaches intestine to abdominal wall and holds it in place.

Question 10

What stem cell produces collagen? (1)

Answer 10

Fibroblasts

Question 11

Who was Rudolf Virchow? What was he significant for. (3)

Answer 11

1. Father of cellular pathology.
2. He defined the cell as the smallest viable unit of life and abnormal cells being the cause of disease.
3. Used visual inspection to examine morphological pathology.

Question 12

What is the difference between General and systematic pathology. (2)

Answer 12

General pathology: Mechanisms and features of major disease processes e.g inflammation, infection

Systematic pathology: Understanding how specific disease pathology affects organs/organ system. e.g breast cancer, pneumonia

Question 13

Describe Wax of Block making for Microscopy? (2)

Answer 13

1. The cut sample is placed in 10% formaldehyde in H2O to harden tissue.
2. Alcohol is used to remove H2O, Xylene is used to remove alcohol, Parrafin is used to remove Alchohol.

Final result is Parrafin block.

Question 14

What is immunochemistry? (1)

Answer 14

Process of identifying protein in cell/tissues.

Question 15

What are the main features of epithelium structure (3)

Answer 15

These all have basal layer made from collagen, tight junctions called called desosomes for strength and gaps between them for exhange. The Cytokeratin in cytoplasm provide scaffolding for internal structure.

Question 16

Immunochemistry: What stains are used to stain cytokeratin in the below:

Squamous
Columnar
Urothelium
Urothelial umbrella cells (4)

Answer 16

1. Squamous = CK5/6 or CK14
2. Columnar/cuboidal = CK7 or CK20
3. Urothelium = CK7
4. Urothelial umbrella cells = CK20

Question 17

What is the difference between Exocrine and Endocrine glands?

Answer 17

Exocrine secrete unto body surface, so they have ducts. e.g sweat glands, breast

Endocrine secrete into blood directly. No ducts e.g Thyroid, adrenal

Question 18

Arrange from inside the vessel to the outside:

Tunica media
Tunica intima 
Tunica adventitia
Lamina elastica interna
Lamina elastica externa

Answer 18

1. Tunica Intima
2. Lamina elastica interna
3. Tunica media
4. Lamina elastica externa
5. Tunica adventitia