What does a pathologist primarily focus on in their practice?

A pathologist primarily focuses on changes in cells, tissues, and organs, which is fundamental to diagnosing diseases. They study the effects of diseases on the body’s structure and function, often examining samples from patients to identify the presence of abnormalities or disease processes. This includes detecting cancers, infections, and other conditions through laboratory methods such as microscopy, biopsies, and other diagnostic tests.

The other choices relate to specialized areas that generally fall under other medical fields. For example, bone fractures are primarily managed by orthopedic surgeons, reproductive health is mainly the concern of obstetricians and gynecologists, and pregnancy complications are also best addressed by obstetricians. Pathology, however, encompasses a broader range of diagnostic activities that are crucial for understanding the underlying causes of various health issues.