Pathology and Laboratory Medicine: Complementary Roles Pathology and laboratory medicine play indispensable roles within hospitals. Although both involve medical laboratory work, their responsibilities and focal points significantly differ. Pathology is primarily concerned with the diagnosis of diseases, especially through the microscopic examination of tissues and cells to determine the nature of the disease. This includes biopsies and the pathological examination of surgically removed tissues to assist clinicians in making accurate diagnoses and devising treatment plans. Pathologists require profound knowledge of histology and pathology, as well as excellent microscopic skills, to identify the microscopic characteristics of various diseases. The laboratory medicine... Learn more