A skin biopsy is examined by light microscopy in the Pathology Department. Neutrophils (polys) are seen attached to endothelial cells lining small blood vessels (shown). What is the most likely reason for this pathologic finding?

A 31-year-old woman complains of increased vaginal discharge of 1 month duration. A cervical Pap smear is obtained. Superficial epithelial cells in the smear show condensed pyknotic nuclei (see arrows). Pyknosis is typically associated with which of the following processes?

Renal cell carcinomas may secrete a hormone (erythropoietin) that stimulates erythrocytosis (increased hematocrit). The bone marrow of such patients contains an increased number of erythrocyte stem cells. Which of the following terms best describes this change in cellularity of the patient's bone marrow?

Which of the following is an autoimmune blistering skin disease caused by autoantibodies to surface antigens on stratified squamous epithelial cells?

Vasodilation of precapillary arterioles during acute inflammation increases blood flow to injured tissue. Which of the following terms best describes this hallmark of inflammation?

A 50-year-old man is found to have blood in his urine (hematuria) during a routine check up. Vital signs are normal. An owing abdominal CT scan reveals a 2-cm right renal mass, and a CT-guided needle biopsy establishes a diagnosis of renal cell carcinoma. You inform the patient that "staging" of his tumor is key to selecting treatment and evaluating prognosis. Which of the following is the most important staging factor for this patient?

Chest x-ray of a 28-year-old man with a history of alcoholism reveals a pulmonary abscess within the middle lobe of the right lung. Which of the following terms appropriately describes the material filling this cystic lung cavity?

A 23-year-old pregnant woman asks you for examples of chemical, physical, and biological agents that are risk factors for congenital birth defects. Which of the following terms best describes these agents?

An 80-year-old man dies of metastatic cancer. Histological examination of the liver at autopsy is shown. What is the most likely explanation for the accumulation of intracellular golden granules composed of cross-linked proteins and lipids within hepatocytes in this patient?

Physical examination of a 48-year-old woman reveals large erythematous and scaly plaques (shown). Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?

A 68-year-old woman dies of congestive heart failure. A section of the heart at autopsy is examined (shown). Which of the following best describes the morphologic reaction to persistent stress evidenced in this patient's heart?

Large amounts of brown pigment are noted in a liver biopsy specimen obtained from a man with autoimmune hemolytic anemia. This pigment reacts with Prussian Blue. What is the appropriate name for this intracellular pigment?

A 44-year-old man presents with a painful skin rash that developed after working outdoors on a warm summer day (patient shown). Based on the history and distribution of the rash, which of the following is the most likely medical diagnosis?

A freely-movable nodule measuring 2 cm in diameter was palpated in the right breast of a 25-year-old woman. Biopsy reveals a benign neoplasm of ductal epithelial cell origin, accompanied by an accumulation of fibrous connective tissue. Based on the histopathology report, which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?

During a research conference you are asked to discuss staging and grading of breast cancer. Which of the following clinicopathological findings is most important for grading tumors?

A 58-year-old, obese woman with familial hypercholesterolemia develops progressive right renal artery narrowing (stenosis). Over time, this patient's right kidney is likely to demonstrate which of the following adaptations to reduced blood flow (partial ischemia)?

A 28-year-old man presents with abnormal scars on his shoulder and chest (patient shown). These scars are most likely caused by an inherited defect in wound healing that results in excessive deposition of which of the following extracellular matrix glycoproteins?

Collagen: The abnormal scars shown are keloids, which result from excessive deposition of collagen in the extracellular matrix during wound healing. Overproduction leads to raised, firm, irregular scars (keloids).

A 29-year-old carpenter receives a traumatic laceration to her left arm. Which of the following is the most important factor that determines whether this deep wound will heal by primary or secondary intention?

This young man presented with a three-day history of grouped blisters on his lips and cheek (patient shown). These "fever blisters" were most likely caused by which of the following mechanisms of disease?

A 3-year-old boy skins his knees on a rug at home (carpet burn). This superficial abrasion of the epidermis will heal primarily through which of the following processes?

A 68-year-old man with chronic renal disease complains of headaches and dizziness. Blood pressure is 220/130 mm Hg (malignant hypertension). While in the emergency room, the patient suffers a massive stroke and expires. Microscopic examination of the kidney at autopsy shows areas of fibrinoid necrosis. This type of necrosis is typically seen in which of the following anatomic structures or locations?

A 24-year-old woman with a history of bronchial asthma and seasonal allergies undergoes skin testing to identify potential allergens in her environment. A positive skin reaction to ragweed in this patient would be mediated by which of the following classes of immunoglobulin?

A kidney was affected by inflammation for 2 months. What type of cells would one expect to find in this tissue affected by chronic inflammation?