Pathology" is the branch of medicine that studies the causes, nature, and effects of diseases. It focuses on understanding how diseases develop, how they affect the body, and how they can be diagnosed. Pathology is essential for diagnosing illnesses, guiding treatment decisions, and conducting research. It has several major branches: 1. Histopathology – Study of tissues under the microscope. 2. Cytopathology – Examination of individual cells. 3. Hematopathology – Study of diseases of blood and bone marrow. 4. Clinical Pathology – Laboratory analysis of bodily fluids like blood and urine. 5. Forensic Pathology – Investigation of cause of death, often in a legal context.