A pathology report describes the gross and microscopic appearance of tissue specimens and states a diagnosis. It documents cellular characteristics indicating the age and nature of the process.
Specimens are taken during surgery or biopsy.
Alternative Names:
Surgical Pathology Report, Histology Report
Why it Matters?
Pathology is the most objective evidence available on whether tissue changes are acute or degenerative, because cellular characteristics indicate how long a process has been developing. A specimen showing long-standing degenerative change contradicts an account attributing the condition to a recent traumatic event. It is frequently overlooked in records review because it arrives separately from the operative report.
Frequently Confused with
Related terms
Frequently asked questions
What does pathology establish about causation?
Why is it often missed?
