There are several common types of pathological changes that can be observed in tissues:
- Inflammation: This is the body's response to injury or infection. Histologically, it can be identified by the presence of inflammatory cells such as neutrophils, lymphocytes, and macrophages. - Necrosis: This refers to cell death due to injury or disease. It is characterized by cell swelling, membrane rupture, and the breakdown of cellular components. - Fibrosis: This is the formation of excess fibrous connective tissue in an organ or tissue, often as a reparative response. It can reduce the functional capacity of the affected area. - Hyperplasia and Hypertrophy: These are different forms of tissue growth. Hyperplasia involves an increase in the number of cells, while hypertrophy refers to an increase in cell size.