Top 10 Commonly Confused Words in Veterinary Pathology

Top 10 Commonly Confused Words in Veterinary Pathology 1. Lesion vs. Tumor While both terms refer to abnormal tissue growth, a lesion is a broad term encompassing any abnormality, whereas a tumor specifically denotes a mass of cells. Not all lesions are tumors, but all tumors are lesions. 2. Inflammation vs. Infection Inflammation is the body's response to injury, characterized by redness, swelling, and pain. Infection, on the other hand, is caused by a pathogen, such as bacteria or viruses. Infection can lead to inflammation, but not all inflammation is due to an infection. 3. Congenital vs. Hereditary Congenital conditions are present at birth, often due to developmental issues. Hereditary conditions, on the other hand, are inherited from parents through genes. While some congenital conditions can be hereditary, not all hereditary conditions are congenital. 4. Neoplasia vs. Hyperplasia Neoplasia refers to the abnormal and uncontrolled growth of cells, which can be benign or malignant. Hyperplasia, on the other hand, is an increase in the number of cells in a tissue, often in response to a stimulus. Hyperplasia is reversible, while neoplasia is not. 5. Etiology vs. Pathogenesis