Course overview
The aim of this course is to introduce, in general terms, some of the aberrations which occur in normal tissue structure and function and how they manifest as the signs and symptoms of disease. Cell degeneration/adaptation; atrophy, hypertrophy, cell death and necrosis, reversible cell injury, hyperplasia, metaplasia, dysplasia. Inflammation and repair; acute/chronic inflammation, chemical mediators and cell signals, patterns of inflammation, regeneration, reconstitution and connective tissue repair. Neoplasia; benign and malignant neoplasms, carcinogenesis, clinical aspects, treatment. Blood dynamics; thrombosis, embolism, infarction, compression, congestion, circulatory shock. Genetic defects; single gene, polygenic and chromosome disorders, mutagenesis, teratogenesis. Environmental disease factors; pollution, reactions to chemicals/drugs, injury from physical agents. Pathology of cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, endocrine and reproductive systems.
Course learning outcomes
- Appreciate the relationship between disease and altered tissue structure and function
- Give a general account of bodily responses to acquired disease
- Describe the effects of genetic disorders on various body tissues.