Introduction to Diagnostics and Pathology Terminology

1. Introduction to Diagnostics and Pathology Terminology

In this lesson, you will learn terminology related to varied diagnostic and pathology techniques.

Diagnostic techniques are procedures used to detect, confirm, and monitor diseases by analyzing tissues, fluids, and internal structures. These techniques facilitate early detection of diseases and conditions. They also guide treatment decisions by providing detailed anatomical and cellular information. Additionally, they can be used to monitor disease progression and treatment progression in some cases. Diagnostic tests include physical examinations, laboratory testing, imaging, and other testing.

Laboratory tests are procedures that analyze bodily fluids, tissues, and other specimens to detect diseases, monitor conditions, and assess overall health. These are used to facilitate the detection of diseases such as diabetes, infections, and cancer. They are also used to monitor chronic conditions such as kidney disease and thyroid disorders. They can be used to guide treatment decisions. For example, they could be used to select an appropriate chemotherapy or antibiotic regimen.

Types of specimens collected for laboratory analysis include:

• Blood
• Urine
• Saliva
• Sputum
• Tissues (biopsies)
• Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
• Amniotic fluid (for fetal health evaluation)

The photo below shows blood samples for blood testing. These color-coded tubes are called vacutainers. They are sterile tubes specifically designed to transport blood samples. Each colored rubber stopper indicates the type of testing needed. The tubes differ in size and help to ensure that the correct quantity of blood is submitted for testing. Additionally, different tubes contain different additives needed for different types of analyses (Bios, n.d.).

Imaging reports are written interpretations of medical imaging studies by radiologists, summarizing findings and clinical significance.

Types of medical imaging include:

• X-ray (radiography) – For bones, lungs, soft tissues (best for dense tissues like bones; Fayad, n.d.).
• Ultrasound (sonography) – For real-time imaging of soft tissues and blood flow.
• Computed tomography (CT or CAT scan) – For detailed cross-sectional imaging.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) – Especially valuable for soft tissue and brain imaging.
• Positron emission tomography (PET scan) – For functional and metabolic imaging.

Remember that path/o means disease or disorder. So pathology is the study of abnormal conditions. There are many types of pathologists who specialize in different areas. Here are some examples from the American Board of Pathology (n.d.):

• Cytopathology: Specializes in studying cells, such as those in fluids or obtained through fine needle aspiration.
• Dermatopathology: Specializes in skin analysis (e.g., examining biopsies).
• Forensic pathology: Specializes in the analysis of tissues and other samples from deceased individuals (e.g., during autopsies).
• Neuropathology: Specializes in the nervous system.
• Surgical pathology: Specializes in the analysis of surgical samples (e.g., biopsies).

There are other types of pathologists as well, and these specialists often use the types of diagnostic testing (including laboratory testing) described above.

try it

Let’s try some examples. Consider the following terms:

• hematopathologist
• cytology

Based on the word parts, what do you think a hematopathologist does?

Hemat/o means blood, path/o means disease or disorder, and –ist is a specialist. So hematopathologist means a specialist in the study of blood diseases and related conditions.

A physician sends a specimen to cytology. Based on the word parts, what do you think cytology means, and why would a specimen be sent there?

Cyt/o means cell and -ology means study. Cytology is the study of cells (note that this is distinct from histology, which involves the study of tissues consisting of cells). This term can be used to mean cytopathology, although cytopathology specifically focuses on abnormalities. In a medical setting, the terms are often used synonymously. So a sample might be sent to cytology to detect abnormal cells such as cancerous or precancerous cells, for example. This type of analysis can also be used to detect and analyze abnormalities related to inflammation and infection (Cleveland Clinic, 2025).

2. Prefixes

The table below shows common prefixes that you will encounter as you learn about diagnostics and pathology. Remember that many other prefixes are also used, including prefixes that you have already learned.

3. Combining Forms

Many combining forms that you have already learned are relevant to learning about diagnostic and pathology testing. The table below shows some examples.

try it

Let’s try an example. Consider the term histopathology.

Based on the word parts, what does histopathology mean?

Hist/o means tissues, path/o means disease or disorder, and –ology means study. So histopathology means the study of diseases of the tissues, or the medical specialty that focuses on diseases of the tissues.

4. Suffixes

In addition to prefixes and combining forms, there are many suffixes that are useful in discussing diagnostic and pathology testing. The table below includes familiar suffixes and a few new suffixes that will be helpful.

try it

Let’s try an example.

Break apart the word leukemia and explain what the word parts mean.

Leuk/o means white, as in leukocytes (white blood cells). -emia is a blood condition. So leukemia is a blood condition involving the white blood cells. More specifically leukemia is cancer of the bone marrow, where excess white blood cells are produced. There are multiple types of leukemia.

REFERENCES

Bios, L. (2025, July 17). What is a Vacutainer? Ucallm. what is a vacutainer

Fayad, D. (n.d.). CT Scan Versus MRI Versus X-Ray What Type of Imaging Do I Need? Johns Hopkins Medicine. CT Scan Versus MRI Versus X-Ray: What Type of Imaging Do I Need? | Johns Hopkins Medicine

What is Pathology? (n.d.). American Board of Pathology. What is Pathology? - American Board of Pathology

Cytology (Cytopathology). (2025, July 22). Cleveland Clinic. Cytology (Cytopathology): What It Is, Types & Procedure

What is a Hypoechoic Mass? (2018, June 25). Healthline. Hypoechoic Mass: In the Liver, Breast, Kidney, and More

Sialadenitis. (n.d.). Johns Hopkins Medicine. Sialadenitis (Salivary Gland Infection): Symptoms & Treatment

Radiological Descriptive Terms. (n.d.). Radiology at St. Vincent’s University Hospital. Radiological Descriptive Terms - Radiology at St. Vincent's University Hospital