ODS-7611 Histology and Pathology
The course is separated into two components. The Histology course will introduce the microscopic structure of cells and tissues. It begins with a discussion of stem cells, followed by an overview of the differentiation of cells and their organization into tissues. The structure and function of the basic tissue types will be presented, including epithelium, connective tissue, muscle and nerve tissue. Emphasis is placed on normal structure (histology of cells, extracellular components and tissues) as a basis for understanding normal physiological and biochemical functions. Examples of the structure-function relationship will be applied in discussions of anatomical components of the eye. Histology will be integrated with cell biology, biochemistry, anatomy and physiology which are presented elsewhere in the curriculum. It follows that knowledge of normal structure and function provides a framework for understanding abnormal findings and the pathogenesis of disease processes, that is, the clinical consequences of cellular disorders and tissue-related diseases. Pathology encompasses the study of disease – its causes (etiology) and the underlying mechanisms (pathogenesis) that result in the presenting signs and symptoms of the patient. The General Pathology course introduces basic pathologic processes. It integrates principles from histology, biochemistry, genetics and physiology to promote an understanding of the structural and functional changes in cells, tissues and organs. The response of cells and tissues to pathologic stimuli will be explored in presentations on cell injury, cell adaptation, inflammation and healing. The course concludes with a discussion of neoplasia, the result of extreme growth dysregulation. Knowledge of pathologic processes promotes an understanding of the clinical manifestations of disease and forms the basis for utilizing treatment modalities to intervene in the disease process.