GENERAL PATHOLOGY (Theoretical Notes)
GENERAL PATHOLOGY (Theoretical Notes)
GENERAL PATHOLOGY (Theoretical Notes)
FOR UNDEGRADUATE
• Introduction 1
• Inflammation 2
• Repair 11
• Cell Injury and Cellular Accumulations 17
• Disorders of Vascular Flow 26
• Disturbances of Cell Growth 42
• Neoplasia (Tumours) 44
• Ionizing Radiations 71
• Environmental Pathology 72
• Bacterial Infections 77
• Viral And Fungal Infections 90
• Diagnostic Cytology 94
INTRODUCTION
Pathology is the science which deals with the cause and nature of disease. This
study of diseases comprises:
1. Definition and Etiology (Causes).
تكوين2. Pathogenesis: The mechanisms of development of disease.
3. Pathological features:
a. Gross or naked eye or macroscopic picture.
b. Microscopic or histopathological picture.
4. Fate and complications.
Causes:
All causes of cell injury, mainly the living irritants, such as bacteria, viruses and
parasites. The simplest classification of inflammation is acute and chronic inflammation.
ACUTE INFLAMMATION
- It has usually rapid onset and short duration
- The acute inflammatory reaction consists of:
-4-
3. Lysosomal components: increase vascular permeability and chemotaxis for leucocytes.
Released from neutrophils.
lymphokine 4. Lvmohokines: In delayed hypersensitivity reactions and cause increase in permeability
and chemotaxis. Released from sensitized T lymphocytes.
5. Monokines: Like the lymphokines but released from macrophages.
Effects of Chemical Mediators:
1. Increased vascular permeability mainly by histamine and bradykinin.
2. Vasodilatation mainly by histamine, bradykinin and prostaglandins.
3. Chemotaxis mainly by the anaphylatoxins C5a and C3a.
The course and fate of acute inflammation;
تسوية فض1. Resolution: Complete restoration of normal conditions due to minimal tissue damage,
rapid removal of irritant and good macrophage functions.
انتكاسة تراجع2. Regression and healing: When the body overcomes the irritant. Healing occurs by
1.Hotness
2.Redness or flare
3.Swelling or wheal
5.loss of function
The types of acute inflammatio
I- Suppurative inflammation.
II- Non-suppurative inflammation.
Definition:
Severe acute inflammation characterized by pus formation, and caused by pyogenic
bacteria as: staphylococci, streptococci, gonococci and others.
Bacteria that cause pus are called pyogenic
What is PUS?
It is the thick, alkaline fluid caused by pyogenic bacteria and characterizes
suppurative inflammation.
• Pathology of Abscess:
1. At first, abscess is formed of central necrotic zone and outer zone of acute
inflammation with cellular degeneration containing large numbers of
polymorphs and macrophages.
Staphylococcus (staph) is a group of bacteria. There are more than 30
types. A type called Staphylococcus aureus causes most infections. Staph
bacteria can cause many different types of infections, including: Skin
infections, which are the most common types of staph infections
2. Later on it is formed of three zones due to liquefaction of necrotic tissues and pus
formation.
- Central zone: Necrotic core: gradually decreases in size.
fl
- Mid zone: Abscess cavity: Filled with pus.
- Outer zone: Pyogenic membrane: Acutely inflamed degenerated area.
3. The abscess enlarges due to more necrosis and liquefaction. Enlargement stops
when the staphylococci produce coagulase enzyme that helps fibrin formation and
localization.
4. Pus must be evacuated spontaneously or surgically followed by healing which
occurs by fibrosis or by granulation.
1. Catarrhal Inflammation:
- Definition: Mild acute non suppurative inflammation of mucous membranes
characterized by excess mucous secretion.
- Examples: rhinitis, bronchitis, appendicitis, .........
2. Membranous = Pseudomembranous inflammation:
- Definition: Sever acute non suppurative inflammation of mucous membranes
characterized by the formation of a pseudomembrane.
dysentery :disease characterized by severe
diarrhea with passage of mucus and
- Examples: Diphtheria and bacillary dysentery. blood and usually caused by infection
- Pathogenesis: Bacteria produce powerful exotoxins which cause focal then diffuse
necrosis. The exotoxins spread from necrotic mucosa to submucosa causing acute
inflammation and to blood stream causing severe toxaemia.
3. Serofibrinous inflammation:
- Definition: Acute inflammation characterized by excess fluid exudates rich in
fibrinogen. It affects serous membranes (pleura, pericardium and peritoneum).
4. Fibrinous inflammation:
Characterized by exudates with excess fibrin, e.g. lobar pneumonia.
5. Serous inflammation:
Characterized by excess serous exudates, e.g. burn and herpes simplex.
6. Haemorrhagic inflammation:
Characterized by exudates rich in red blood cells due to damage of vascular wall, e.g.
smallpox.
7. Necrotizing inflammation:
Characterized by marked tissue necrosis, e.g., cancrum oris nad Vincent angina.
8. Allergic inflammation:
Due to antigen-antibody reactions, e.g., allergic rhinitis. It is rich in eosinophils.
CH RO NI C I NF LA M M A TI ON
General Characters:
1- Mild irritant with gradual onset and long duration.
الدرن
2- May follow acute or start chronic as in tuberculosis. TB
condition marked by increase of
3- Progressive tissue necrosis and gradual replacement by fibrosis. interstitial brous tissue
4- The blood vessels show gradual thickening of the wall and gradual narrowing of the
lumen end arteritis obliterans).
5- Inflammatory fluid exudates is scanty.
6- Inflammatory cellular exudate is formed of:
Lymphocytes.
- Plasma cells.
Macrophages.
- Multinucleated giant cells.
Eosinophils.
- Fibroblasts.
* TYPES:
1. Chronic non-specific:
It may follow acute inflammation without characteristic microscopic picture, e.g.,
chronic abscess.
2. Chronic specific:
Each irritant produces specific characteristic microscopic picture, e.g. tuberculosis,
الزهريsyphilis, bilharziasis.
- 12-
Chapter 2:
REPAIR
Definition:
Repair (Healing) is the replacement of damaged tissues by healthy new one.
Types:
1. Repair by regeneration: replacement of damaged cells by new healthy cells of same
type.
2. Repair by granulation or fibrosis: Replacement of damaged cells by granulation
tissue which matures into fibrous tissue.
• Factors determining the type of repair:
The type of repair depends on the type of cells and their ability to divide and
proliferate. Three types of cells are known:
Continually undergoing chemical,
physical, or biological change or a- Labile cells: These cells can proliferate continuously throughout life and have
breakdown : UNSTABLE
good power of division. They include:
stratum = layer - Stratified squamous epithelium of skin and mucous membranes of mouth,
pharynx, larynx, vagina....
- Transitional epithelium of urinary tract.
- Columnar epithelium of G.I.T., respiratory tract, endometrium,...
- Haemopoetic and lymphoid cells.
فى العادة ثابتهb- Stable cells: These cells can proliferate only when needed and have limited power
of division, so that regeneration follows minor injury and fibrosis follows major
injury:
parenchymal - Parenchymatous cells: liver, pancreas, glands and renal tubules.
- Mesenchymal cells: osteoblast, chondroblast
chrondroblast and fibroblast,
c- Permanent cells: These cells cannot proliferate at all and include:
- Muscle cells: cardiac and skeletal. mesenchymal stem cells (mscs)
Central Nervous system
- Nerve cells: in brain and spinal cord.
• Examples of repair by regeneration:
1- Regeneration of skin (labile cells):
- Epidermis alone: regenerates easily.
- Dermis: heals by granulation tissue (fibrosis).
2- Regeneration of liver cells (stable cells): سليمة
- Mild cell injury with intact fibrous framework: perfect regeneration.
- Severe cell injury with destroyed fibrous framework: irregular fibrosis and
liver cirrhosis. تليف الكبد
- 13 -
3- Repair in nervous system:
a. Central nervous system (permanent cells):
No regeneration can occur. The necrotic cells are removed by microglia and
then replaced by proliferating neuroglia cells. This process of healing is
called gliosis. =
b. Peripheral nerves: Regeneration can occur:
- Following nerve injury, the nerve cells swell, the Nissel granules disappear,
the nuclei become eccentric and the myelin sheath and axis cylinder
disintegrate.
- The Schwann cells proliferate and form continuous neurilemmal rube.
- New axons grow from the proximal end.
- Reformation of myelin sheath occurs finally.
* N.B.: If the 2 ends of the cut nerve are not in direct opposition to each
other, the Schwann cells and the growing axons mix together forming a
painful mass called traumatic (stump or amputation) neuroma.
4- Healing of bone fracture:
- Haematoma with acute inflammation and cellular debris forms at the fracture
site and growth factors are released.
- The haematoma is gradually invaded by fibroblasts, osteoblasts and new
capillaries with formation of soft callus or procallus.
- The procallus is converted to fibro-cartilagenous callus, then osteoid callus
and finally to hard bony (osseous) callus by progressive endochondral
ossification.
- The un-needed callus (the external and internal) are removed by osteoclasts
followed by remodeling of the intermediate callus with deposition of calcium
phosphate and carbonate.
- The bone marrow regenerates later on.
Bonv union may fail to occur because of:
1. Improper immobilization leading to fibrous union.
2. Impaired blood supply.
3. Infection at site of fracture.
4. Interference of soft tissue with bony ends.
5. Impaired nutrition and old age.
6. Diabetes mellitus and glucocorticoid therapy.
- 14-
catarrh
b. Leucoderma.
2. Increase in melanin pigment:
a. Addison's disease.
b. Benign and malignant melanomas.
c. Chloasma: brown skin patches during pregnancy.
d. Direct prolonged exposure to sun, and ultraviolet rays.
3- L i p o c h r o m e P i g m e n t s L i p o f u s c i n P i g m e n t s )
Definition:
Yellowish brown pigment of lipid origin and it is normally present in corpus luteum, testis,
suprarenal cortex and heart muscles.
Brown atrophy of heart showing
1.Reduced size and weight. 2-Dark brown in colour.
3- Tortuous coronaries. 4-Soft flabby muscles.
4- H a e m o g l o b i n D e r i v e d P i g m e n t s
A- Haemosiderin Accumulation: Haemosiderosis:
Definition:
Pathological accumulation of haemosiderin in tissues.
Types: 1- Localized haemosiderosis: due to
a. Chronic venous congestion of liver, lung and spleen.
b. Around infarctions and varicose veins.
2- Generalized haemosiderosis:
c. Repeated blood transfusions.
d. Haemolytic anaemias.
-24-
B- Haemochromatosis = Bronzed diabetes:
Definition: Just iron
An inborn error of iron metabolism leading to excess absorption of iron in diet. It affects
middle aged males (females do not develop the disease because of the regular loss,of blood and iron
in the menstrual cycles).
Effects:
1. Skin = bronzed colouration.
2. Pancreas = diabetes mellitus.
3. Heart = heart failure.
4. Liver = pigmentary cirrhosis.
2- Exogenous Pigmentation
1. Inhalation: carbon causes anthracosis of lung.
2. Ingestion: chronic lead poisoning causes blue line on the gums.
3. Inoculation: tattooing (India ink in subcutaneous tissues).
-25-
3- Stone formation: Deposition of calcium salts in some organs, e.g., urinary tract, biliary tract,
salivary tract....
4- Idiopathic calcinosis: Rare with unknown etiology, may affect skin, subcutaneous tissue with the
formation of nodular masses called tumoural calcinosis.
B - A M Y L O I D D E P O S I T I O N ( A M Y L O I D O S I S } Definition;
It is the pathological deposition of pale, pink, homogenous, refractile, structureless protein
material. It is deposited in various tissues, mainly extracellular, in the wall of blood vessels and in the
basement membranes.
-26-
غسيل كلوي غسيل الدم
3. Hemodialysis associated amyloidosis:
It affects some patients with chronic renal failure subjected to repeated hemodialysis. The
deposited protein is B2-microglobulin.
متوارث
4. Hereditary amyloidosis:
Several types as in familial Mediterranean fever (AA deposition) and familial amyloidotic
neuropathy (transthyretin deposition). Hereditary amyloidosis is a condition in which abnormal protein deposits (called amyloid) form in
almost every tissue in the body. Harmful deposits most often form in the heart, kidneys, and
nervous system. These protein deposits damage the tissues and interfere with how organs work.
B- Localized amyloidosis:
1. Senile cardiac or senile cerebral amyloidosis. Which produce Thyroxine + Calcitonin
2. Tumors of endocrine glands with amyloid deposits such as medullary carcinoma of thyroid
(procalcitonin deposition).
:arising 3. Idiopathic localized amyloid deposits: nodular deposits of AL may affect the lung, larynx,
spontaneously or
from an obscure or tongue, skin and urinary bladder.
unknown cause
Microscopically:
Amyloid appears as extracellular deposition of pale, pink, homogenous, structureless,
refractile material on the basement membranes and blood vessels leading to thickening of the wall, and
narrowing of the lumen with pressure atrophy on surrounding cells.
-27-
Chapter 4
Definition:
Increased blood flow to an organ or tissue due to vasodilatation of its arterioles and capillaries.
Tvpes:
- Physiological: muscular exercise.
- Pathological: acute inflammation.
Definition:
Increased venous blood in an organ or tissue due to obstruction of its venous return. Types:
I- General Venous Congestion
• Micro:
-28-
- Alveolar capillaries are dilated and congested.
- Alveolar septa are thickened and fibrosed.
- Alveolar lamina contain red blood cells and heart failure cells (macrophages engulfing
brown hemosiderin granules).
c- The liver:
• Gross: The liver shows the nut-meg appearance:
1- Large size, heavy weight and firm consistency.
2- Dark red spots of congestion against yellow background of fatty degeneration.
3- Sharp cut edges and flat cut surfaces.
4- Later on, the liver become shrunken, and firm with irregular surface.
• Micro:
- Central vein and central sinusoids and dilated and congested with red blood cells.
- Central liver cells are atrophic.
- Peripheral liver cells show fatty degeneration.
d- The spleen:
• Gross: Congestive splenomegaly.
1. Large size, heavy weight and firm consistency.
2. Sharp cut edges and flat cut surface.
II- Local Venous Congestion
A- Acute Local Venous Congestion:
- Causes: Sudden venous occlusion by thrombosis, ligature, strangulation, or torsion. B- Chronic
Local Venous Congestion:
- Causes: Gradual compression of veins by tumour mass, enlarged lymph node, pregnant uterus, liver
cirrhosis and bilharzial hepatic fibrosis. Mitral stenosis causes blood stasis in left atrium and lungs.
THROMBOSIS
Definition:
A thrombus is a compact mass formed of constituents of circulating blood, inside vessel or heart
during life.
Causes:
1. Damase to the vascular endothelium: (Endothelial injury)-.
- Mechanical: trauma, pressure, ligature.
- Inflammatory: phlebitis, arteritis, endocarditis.
-29-
- Degenerative: atherosclerosis, aneurysm, myocardial infarction.
2. Slowins of blood stream (Stasis):
During slowing the platelets cross the plasmatic zone and adhere to the vascular endothelium as
in: - Leg veins in chronic heart failure and varicose veins. الدوالي
- Left atrium in chronic heart failure and varicose veins.
- Left atrium of heart in mitral stenosis.
- Areas of acute inflammation.
3. Disorders of blood stream: (Turbulence)
Distortion of lumen by aneurysm, atheroma or pressure from outside causes turbulence and
allows the platelets to come in contact with the vascular endothelium.
4. Changes in blood composition: (Hvvercoaeulabilitv of blood):
- Increase in platelets: after operation.
- Increase in fibrinogen: during pregnancy.
- Increase in red cells: in polycythaemia.
- Increase in white cells: in leukaemia.
- Decrease in plasma volume: in dehydration and extensive burns.
- Cases of hyperlipidemia, nephritic syndrome and advanced cancer.
- Use of contraceptive pills.
- Inherited deficiency of antithrombin III, protein C/S and fibrinolysin.
-30-
• Classification and Types of Thrombi:
1. Pale thrombus = Platelets thrombus:
- It is the first to be formed, and consists mainly of platelets and fibrin.
2. Red thrombus
- It is formed of platelets, excess fibrin and red cells.
- It occurs mainly in venous thrombosis.
3. Mixed thrombus:
- It is mixed because it is formed of platelets and other blood elements.
- The platelets become deposited perpendicular to blood stream forming reddish violet lines known
as lines of Zahn. Because these lines more fibrin is deposited entangling red and white cells.
- If the alternating platelets and fibrin lamellae are perpendicular to the vessel wall, it is called
coralline thrombus.
- If the alternating platelets and fibrin lamellae are parallel to the vessel wall, it is called laminated
thrombus (mainly in aneurysms).
- If the thrombus occludes the vessel partially it is called mural thrombus. while if it occludes the
vessel completely it is called occluding thrombus.
4. Propagating thrombus:
- Occurs mainly in veins of lower limbs.
- The blood proximal to an occluding thrombus is stagnant and it clots . This clot affects the whole
column of blood till the next tributary.
- Opposite the opening of a tributary the blood is circulating and a thrombus is formed till it
occludes the vessel completely. The process is repeated resulting in alternating thrombi and clots
known as propagating thrombus.
propagating thrombus
- 31 -
2. Thrombosis in veins: more common than in arteries because blood stream is slow and vein has thin
wall. Two types:
a- Thrombophlebitis: thrombosis initiated by inflammation may be:
- Septic thrombovhelbitis: occurs in veins draining areas of acute inflammation as appendicular vein
in acute appendicitis and uterine veins in puerperal sepsis.
- Aseptic thrombophelbitis: occurs in veins exposed to irradiation.
3. Thrombosis in arteries:
Less common than in veins, because blood stream is rapid and artery has thick wall. Causes are:
a- Atherosclerosis causing roughness of the intima. b- Arteritis causing ammation
damage to the endothelium, c- Aneurysms causing stasis and disorders of
blood stream.
- 32 -
EM BO LIS M
Definition:
Embolus is an absolute material circulating in blood. Embolism is the process of impaction of
an embolus in a blood vessel.
• Types of Emboli:
1. Emboli of thrombotic origin (thrombo-embolism): a. Course
and site of impaction of emboli:
- From systemic vein or right side of heart, the emboli pass to the pulmonary artery and impact
in the lung: Pulmonary embolism.
- From systemic artery or left side of the heart, the emboli impact in any organ (spleen, brain,
kidney, ....): Systemic embolism.
- From portal veins, the emboli impact in the liver: Portal embolism. a. Effects:
- Aseptic embolus: - Poor collaterals —*■ ischaemia and infarction.
- Good collaterals —*■ insignificant effect.
- Septic embolus: Pyaemic abscesses.
2. Air embolism: (Gas embolism):
- May be due to:
a. Injury of large neck veins.
b. Faculty techniques of artificial pneumothorax or blood transfusion under pressure.
c. Caisson's disease in divers.
3. Fat Embolism:
- May be due to:
a. Fractures of long bones.
b. Burns or inflammation of fatty areas.
4 Amniotic Fluid Embolism:
Strong uterine contractions may tear foetal membranes and push amniotic fluid in opened
maternal uterine veins causing fatal pulmonary embolism to the mother.
5- Tumor emboli.
6- Parasitic emboli.
7- Bacterial emboli.
8- Foreign body emboli.
-33 -
IS CH AEMI A
Definition:
Decrease blood supply to tissue or organ due to occlusion of its arterial supply.
Types:
1- Sudden or acute (complete) ischaemia:
- Causes:
a. Thrombosis
b. Ligature of an artery.
c. Torsion or twisting of movable vessels in intestine or ovary.
d. Arterial spasm as in ergot poisoning.
Effects:
- Poor (inefficient) collaterals —•» ischaemic atrophy and fibrous replacement as in myocardial
fibrosis due to coronary atherosclerosis.
- Good (efficient) collaterals —> insignificant effect.
I NF A RCTI O N
Definition:
An areas of coagulation necrosis caused by sudden ischaemia. It is liquifactive in the brain.
Aetiology:
1) Mainly thrombosis or embolism causing arterial occlusion.
2) Rarely surgical ligature, arterial spasm or twisting of vessels.
-34-
• General Features of Infarction:
1. Gross:
- Size: depends upon size of occluded vessel.
- Site: always subscapular, and peripheral.
- Shape: pyramidal or triangular in shape with the base on the surface and the apex towards
the center, due to distribution of the blood supply.
- Surface: raised when recent (edema) and depressed when healed (fibrosis).
- Surrounded: by a red zone of hyperaemia.
• Types:
a- Pale (white) infarct: seen mainly with arterial occlusion in organs as heart or kidney.
It is pale, dry and firm,
b- Red (haemorrhagic) infarct: seen mainly with venous occlusion, in organs with congested
vessels or having double blood supply as lung or intestine. It is dark, moist and soft.
2. Micro
- Early: Cells show post necrotic changes after 12 h.
- Next: loss of cellular details and preservation of general architecture (ghosts of original
structure) after 36 h.
- Later: necrotic area appears as pink granular region surrounded by acute inflammatory
reaction, after 72h.
3. Fate:
a. Small infarct: phagocytosed by macrophages and replaced by fibrosis.
b. Large infarct: encapsulation and dystrophic calcification.
-35-
3. Heart:
- Due to thrombosis or embolism of a coronary artery on top of atherosclerosis, usually present with
severe chest pain.
- It is pale and affects mainly the left ventricle.
4. Liver:
- Infarction of the liver is very rare (double blood supply).
5. Intestine: due to
- Thrombosis or embolism of mesenteric vessels.
- Strangulated hernia, volvulus and intussusception (Twisting of vessels).
* Gross:
The infarct is haemorrhagic. The affected loop and its mesentery are swollen, dark red, covered
by fibrin and the peritoneal cavity contains hemorrhagic effusion.
- Clinically: - Acute intestinal obstruction gangrene and septic peritonitis.
6. Brain: Due to
- Thrombosis or embolism of cerebral arteries.
* Gross:
- The infarction is liquifactive and may be pale or hemorrhagic.
- The covering meninges are thick and adherent.
- Healing takes place by gliosis.
* Micro:
- The myeline dissolves into fat globules which are phagocytosed by microglia which are called
compound granular corpuscles.
- Clinically: - Hemiplegia if infarct affects internal capsule.
7. Lungs: due to
- Thrombosis or embolism of pulmonary artery in lung diseased by chronic venous congestion. In
healthy lung, no infarction develops because the lung has double blood supply.
* Gross:
The infarction is hemorrhagic, may be multiple and usually subpleural, and covered by fibrinous
pleurisy.
* Micro:
- Ghosts of original structure are seen.
- Alveolar spaces are filled with blood and heart failure cells.
- Surrounding lung tissue shows chronic venous congestion.
- Clinically: - Haemoptysis and chest pain.
-36-
G A N G REN E
Definition:
Massive tissue necrosis with superimposed putrefaction.
Causes:
1. Necrosis: usually caused by ischaemia or bacterial toxins.
2. Putrefaction: Caused by saprophytic bacteria which breakdown proteins of necrotic tissue
liberating hydrogen sulphide. This hydrogen sulphide gives the gangrenous tissues a foul
odour and black colouration (by forming iron sulphide with the iron of hemoglobin).
Types:
1. Dry Gangrene:
It usually affects limbs with poor collaterals when a main artery is occluded by:
1. Thrombosis usually on top of atherosclerosis.
2. Embolism.
3. Arterial spasm as in Raynaud's disease, Buerger's disease, or ergot poisoning.
4. Surgical ligature of artery.
There is cut of arterial blood supply while the venous and the lymphatic drainages are normal
helping dryness of affected limb. Also, there is evaporation from overlying skin. The best example
is:
• Senile gangrene:
- Usually affects old aged males, with atherosclerosis, weak cardiac action and low body
resistance.
* Pathological features:
- Arterial occlusion may be either spontaneous or as a result of injury.
- Tissue necrosis starts usually in the big toe and the area is pale and cold.
- Putrefaction starts by saprophytic bacteria, the area becomes black & offensive.
- The toxic products irritate the surrounding healthy tissues causing thrombosis and more necrosis
and putrefaction. The gangrenous process spreads proximally and slowly along the limb.
- When gangrene reaches an area of good blood supply it stops, and a red line of acute
inflammation is seen between healthy and gangrenous parts known as line of demarcation.
- From the healthy side granulation tissue grows and separates the gangrenous part below and
appears as groove known as line of separation.
-37-
2- Moist gangrene:
It usually affects internal organs due to sudden occlusion of both arterial and venous blood
supply. There is no evaporation and no drainage by veins or lymphatics, so the organ retains its
fluids which help rapid putrefaction, rapid spread, severe toxaemia without line of demarcation and
no self separation.
C. Bed sores:
Skin ulcers cover bony prominences as sacrum and greater trochanter due to prolonged
recumbency in bed in cases of paralysis and coma. They result from stasis, ischaemia necrosis and
secondary bacterial infection.
D. Diabetic gangrene:
Diabetics usually have atherosclerosis, trophic ulcers due to sensory loss, hyperglycemia,
low immunity and increased susceptibility to infection.
• Pathological features: It begins usually in big toe after mild injury. Tissue hyperglycemia
helps putrefaction followed by inflammatory occlusion of all vessels, arteries and veins. It
spreads rapidly with poorly developed line of demarcation, severe toxaemia and no self-
separation. It is a combination of moist and ineffective types.
Comparison between dry and moist gangrene
Dry Gangrene Moist Gangrene
Gradual arterial occlusion, by athero- Sudden arterial & venous occlusion, by
sclerosis or arterial spasm. crush injuries, bed sores or tight
Tourniquet.
Affects exposed parts. Affects internal organs.
Slow putrefaction & spread. Rapid putrefaction & spread
Tissue mummification. Tissue edema.
Line of demarcation and self-separation, are Poor line of demarcation and no self
Usually present. Separation.
Mild toxaemia. Severe toxaemia
-38-
3. Infective Gangrene
A subtype of moist gangrene in which pathogenic bacteria cause tissue necrosis and
saprophytic bacteria cause tissue putrefaction.
Types:
a. Cancrum oris: Infective gangrene of oral mucosa of weak malnourished children. It is caused
by Treponema vincenti and Bacillus fusiformis. There is severe toxaemia and may be
complicated by aspiration bronchopneumonia.
b. Necrotizing fasciitis.
c. Synergistic gangrene.
4. Gas gangrene: highly fatal toxic gangrene occurring in deep wounds
Contaminated with anaerobic gas producing bacteria. The organisms are:
1- Saccharolytic bacteria
2-Proteolytic bacteria.
ED EM A
Definition:
Pathological accumulation of excess fluids in interstitial tissue spaces, serous sacs and body
cavities.
Causes and Pathogenesis:
1. Increased capillary hydrostatic pressure: in chronic venous congestion and hypertension.
2. Increased capillary permeability: in acute inflammation, toxins or hypoxia.
3. Decreased colloidal osmotic pressure of plasma: When total proteins fall below 2.5 gm or
albumin below 1.5 gm.
4. Sodium and water retention: in chronic heart failure and renal disorders.
5. Lymphatic obstruction: It is due to:
- Acute lymphangitis and lymphadenitis.
- Filarial lymphangitis and lymphadenitis.
- Pressure on lymphatic vessels by tumour.
- Congenital hypoplasia of lymph nodes.
- Metastasis in lymph nodes.
-39-
* Types of edema: May be localized or generalized A- Localized:
1. Allergic edema: due to histamine released and increased capillary permeability.
2. Inflammatory edema: in acute inflammation.
3. Venous obstruction: leads to edema in area drained by obstructed vein, as in:
- Liver cirrhosis and bilharzial fibrosis —* intestinal edema and ascitis.
- Acute left sided heart failure —> acute pulmonary edema.
- Pressure of pregnant uterus on iliac veins —> edema of lower limbs. 5. Venous
obstruction: see local venous congestion.
B. Generalized Edema:
1. Cardiac edema: occurs with chronic right sided heart failure.
2. Renal edema: of two types:
a- Nephritic edema: Occurs in acute diffuse glomerulonephritis, b- Nephrotic edema. Occurs in
crescentic & membranous glomerulonephritis.
3. Nutritional edema:
Caused by hypoproteinaemia resulting from:
- Prolonged protein deficiency.
- Decreased plasma protein formation in chronic liver disease.
- Interference with food intake, passage, digestion or absorption.
H EM O RRHA G E
Definition:
Escape of blood outside vessels or heart.
Causes:
1. Traumatic: accidental or surgical injury of vessel wall.
2. Spontaneous: may be due to:
a. Degenerative conditions of vessel wall: atheroma and aneurysm.
b. Destruction of vessel wall by tumour or peptic ulcer.
c. Inflammation of vessel wall: arteritis or phlebitis.
d. Increased intravascular pressure: venous congestion and hypertension.
e. Haemorrhagic blood diseases: haemophilia and leukaemia.
f. Vitamin C or vitamin K deficiency.
-40-
Types of haemorrhage:
1. External haemorhase: Escape of blood outside the body:
- Epistaxis: bleeding from the nose.
- Haemoptysis: coughing of blood from lung or bronchi.
- Haematemesis: vomiting of blood from oesphagus, or stomach.
- Melena: dark digested blood in stools from.
- Bleeding per rectum: fresh red blood in stools.
- Haematuria: blood in urine.
- Menorrhagia: excessive or prolonged menstrual bleeding.
- Menorrahagia: excessive or prolonged menstrual bleeding.
- Metrorrhagia: irregular uterine bleeding not related to the cycles.
2. Internal haemorrhage: Escape of blood inside a body cavity:
- Haemothorax: blood in pleura.
- Haemopericardium: blood in pericardium.
- Haemoperitoneum: blood in pericardium.
- Haematocele: blood in tunical vaginalis.
- Haemarthrosis: blood in joint cavity.
3. Interstitial haemorrhaee: Escape of blood in interstitial spaces:
- Petechiae: small amount of capillary blood.
- Ecchymosis: moderate amount of blood.
- Haematoma: large amount of blood causing swelling.
Effects of Haemorrhage:
1. Small amount for one time: no effect.
2. Repeated small amounts: microcytic hypochromic anaemia.
3. Moderate amount (less than 750 cc): there is compensation by:
- Reflex tachycardia.
- Reflex vasoconstriction of skin, muscles and splanchnic area.
- Increased catecholamines release from suprarenal medulla.
- Additional of proteins from liver.
- Addition of red and white cells from bone marrow.
4. Massive amount: (more than 1000 c.c.): causes hypovolaemic shock.
-41-
S H OCK
Definition:
Depression of vital functions due to decrease in cardiac output or acute
circulatory failure.
Clinically:
- Patient is usually quite but may be restless.
- Pale cold skin covered by cold sweat.
- Rapid weak pulse.
- Low blood pressure.
- Shallow rapid respiration.
- Oligouria or anuria.
• Types of hemorrhage:
1. Hvpovolaemic shock:
Due to reduction in blood volume as in:
- Severe hemorrhage as in trauma or surgical operations.
- Extensive vascular exudation as in burns.
- Dehydration due to severe diarrhea, vomiting or sweating.
2. Cardiogenic shock:
Due to acute cardiac lesion causing sever fall in cardiac output:
- In extensive myocardial infarction.
- Hemopericardium.
- Rupture of valve cusp.
- Massive pulmonary embolism.
- Severe arrhythmias.
3. Septic (Endotoxic) shock:
It is caused by the effects of endotoxins released in the course of serious
bacterial infections. These endotoxins produce cell membrane injury,
endothelial damage and stimulate the release of chemical mediators such as
histamine, kinins and prostaglandins causing peripheral vasodilatation,
increased vascular permeability and disseminated intravascular coagulation
(DIC). Septic shock may complicate septicaemia, peritonitis, infected
operations and infected burns.
4.Nerogenic shock:
Due to anaesthesia and spinal cord injury causing peripheral vasodilation.
5. Other causes:
Poisons, anaphylaxins and perforated peptic ulcers.
-42-
Post Mortem Picture of Shock: (Pathological Features of Shock):
- Congestion of viscera and edema of soft tissues.
- Petechiae in serous membranes.
- Depletion of lipids from suprarenal gland, and may be adrenal haemorrhage
(stress response).
- Degeneration and necrosis of parenchymatous organs.
- Kidney lesions may be extensive (acute tubular necrosis) and cause oliguria
and uraemia.
- The brain may show multiple infarctions.
- The lungs show diffuse alveolar damage leading to adult respiratory distress
syndromes.
-43-
Chapter : Chapter :
ENVIRONMENTAL PATHOLOGY
1. Chemical Iniurv
Methyl alcohol: Is found in solvents, and paint. Its metabolites, formic acid and formaldehyde,
are toxic to the retina of the eye and nerve cells.
Insecticides: There are readily absorbed through the skin, respiratory tract and gastrointestinal
tract. They may cause CNS disturbances, muscle twitches, paralysis, cardiac arrhythmias,
impotence and infertility.
Carbon monoxide (CO): It prevents the hemoglobin from binding to the oxygen and causes
respiratory depression.
Lead: It may cause chronic nephritis, peripheral neuritis, cerebral edema and gingival lead line
formation.
2.Physical Iniurv
Frostbite: Exposure to severe cold causes arteriolar spasm and blood stasis. This causes
ischaemia and gangrene of the fingers, toes, nose and ear.
Heat stroke: Results from exposure to heat. It causes excessive sweating, generalized
vasodilatation, hypotension and hypoxia.
Skin burns;
Bone fractures;
Sudden death.
3. Air Pollution
-44-
4.Cultural Factors
Bronchogenic carcinoma.
Peptic ulcers.
Peripheral neuropathy.
Street drugs:
Euphoria.
Peripheral neuropathy.
-45 -
5- Vitamin Deficiencies
Vitamin D Deficiency
1. Rickets
Definition:
• Pathological Features;
Skeletal Lesions:
Skull:
Chest:
Vertebrae:
Long bones:
Somatic lesions:
General Lesions:
-46-
Bulging abdomen due to weak muscles, and enlarged spleen.
2. Osteomalacia
Occurs in adults due to vit. D deficiency and lack of sun exposure mainly in females with repeated
pregnancy.
Pelvis is trifoil in shape, and femur & tibia are bent anteriorly.
-47 -
Vitamin K Deficiency
Pathological Features;
Pathological Features:
Vitamin A Deficiency
Pathological Changes:
Hyperkeratosis of skin.
Features:
Nervous lesions (Dry beri-berif: Degeneration of myeline sheath and fragmentation of axons.
Cardiac lesions (Wet beri-beri): right side of heart becomes dilated and causing right sided heart
failure.
Features:
-48-
Nervous lesions (Dementia).
-49 -
Vitamin B6 (Pvridoxine) deficiency: Glossitis, stomatitis & peripheral neuropathy.
Vitamin E Deficiency
• Pathological Features:
HYPERVITAMINOSIS
-50-