What is a Surgical Pathology Atlas?

Pathology centers on the cause and effect of illnesses and diseases. Surgical pathology is the analysis of diseased organs or tissues that are extracted from a patient during surgery. After analyzing the specimen, a surgical pathologist can correctly diagnose the condition and suggest a treatment method. Pathologists often refer to a surgical pathology atlas to aid in the proper diagnosis of a disease or illness.

Surgical Pathology

A surgical pathologist physically examines the molecular, chemical, immunological and microscopic characteristics of specimens to make a diagnosis. The specimens may be studied macroscopically, with the naked eye, or under a microscope. When examining the specimen, the surgical pathologist may also consult a pathology atlas as a reference guide for the correct diagnosis.

Function

A surgical pathology atlas serves as a visual resource by providing color photographs of macroscopic and microscopic lesions and tissues that are distinctive of each disease and illness. In addition, the atlas supplies particular information such as the clinical, gross and microscopic features of the specimen. With the physical examination of the specimen, along with the information located in the surgical pathology atlas, the surgical pathologist can make a proper diagnosis of the condition or disease.

Types

Surgical pathology atlases are available in many sub specialty categories for reference. These include cytopathology, the study of cells, endocrine pathology, the study of organ diseases, gastrointestinal diseases of the digestive system and genitourinary system diseases of the reproductive organs and urinary systems. Resources for hematopathology, the study of the red and white blood cells and platelets, neuropathology, the study of nervous system tissue and pulmonary diseases of the lungs and thoracic pleura can also be found in a pathology atlas. In addition, atlases are available for bone specimens, renal conditions of kidneys, soft tissue pathology and anatomical pathology study of tissues, organs and bodies during an autopsy, ophthalmic diseases of the eyes and for the pediatric study of diseases in children.