Clinical Pathology Overview
Clinical Pathology Overview
What is clinical pathology?
Clinical pathology covers many lab functions. It is concerned with disease diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. Clinical pathologists are healthcare providers with special training. They often direct all of the special divisions of the lab. This may include the following:
- Blood bank
- Clinical chemistry and biology
- Toxicology
- Hematology
- Immunology and serology
- Microbiology
What does a clinical pathologist do?
A clinical pathologist looks at blood, urine, and other body fluid samples under a microscope, or with other diagnostic tools. He or she watches levels of certain chemicals or other substances in the body. A diagnosis or decision to do further study is then made based on the test results. Samples for exam can include any of these:
Types of specimens used in clinical pathology
Blood | Blood is used in many tests. It can be checked in these ways:
Blood is often drawn with a needle from a vein, often in the forearm. Sometimes the tip of the finger is pricked and then squeezed to draw blood. |
Urine | Urine is also used for many tests. Urine samples can be collected by:
Sometimes a healthcare provider will need you to do a timed test. This is to measure substances passed into the urine over several hours. |
Sputum (also called phlegm) | Sputum can be coughed into a clean container. |
Stool (also called feces) | Stool is often collected by the person in a clean cardboard or plastic container. |
Other body fluids | Other body fluids collected for testing may include:
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A clinical pathologist may be in charge of the blood bank in a hospital. This includes collecting and processing blood and blood products. Other duties may include looking at the causes of transfusion reactions and checking tissue compatibility for transplants.
Other branches of pathology include:
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Anatomic pathology. The study of tissues, organs, and tumors.
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Cytopathology. The study of cellular changes and everything related to cells.
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Forensic pathology. Doing autopsies and legal pathology tests.
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Molecular pathology. The study of DNA and RNA sequencing, genes, and genetics.
Some pathologists specialize in these different areas.
Updated:  
March 10, 2019
Reviewed By:  
Chad Haldeman-Englert MD,Paula Goode RN BSN MSN,Maryann Foley RN BSN