Definition of the Day

Asbestos has been used for centuries, praised for its fire resistance, durability, and insulating properties. But its widespread use has also led to serious health consequences, including mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis.

To help demystify asbestos and its impact, we’ve created the Asbestos Lexicon—a comprehensive glossary of asbestos-related terms.

Each day, we feature a new term, giving you bite-sized insights into asbestos minerals, health risks, industry practices, and legal issues. Whether you’re a researcher, an advocate, or someone affected by asbestos exposure, our lexicon is a valuable resource for understanding the big picture.

Cytopathology:

Term: CytopathologyDefinition: The study and diagnosis of diseases at the cellular level, often involving the examination of cells under a microscope.Phonetic Pronunciation: (sigh-toh-path-OL-oh-jee)Origin: The term 'cytopathology' originates from the Greek words 'kytos' meaning 'cell' and 'pathos' meaning 'disease', combined with 'logia' meaning 'study of'. It reflects the field's focus on examining cellular changes indicative of disease.Significance in Asbestos Context: Cytopathology is crucial in the diagnosis of asbestos-related diseases, such as mesothelioma, by identifying cellular abnormalities caused by asbestos exposure. It helps in early detection and can guide treatment decisions.Example Sentence: The diagnosis of the patient's mesothelioma was confirmed through cytopathology, which revealed characteristic cellular changes due to asbestos exposure.Related Terms: Histopathology, biopsy, mesothe...

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