The Pathological Process Approach

A second conceptual approach is a histopathological classification system. This system categorizes disease processes in terms of damage at the tissue and cellular level. This approach focuses on ten fundamental pathological processes (conveniently designated with the THIND mnemonic)  

External source (destructive physical injury e.g., motor vehicle accident) Internal source (effects of high blood pressure on arterial walls) 

Chemical/physical toxins (toxic chemicals, radiation) 

Hemodynamic/vascular (pathology from disorders of blood vessels) 

Ischemic (decreased blood supply to an organ or tissue e.g., stroke or heart attack) 

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