In search of the origins of modern surgical pathology

Pathology is a relatively new specialty in the history of medicine and borr ows much from the clinical and basic sciences. The clinicopathologic correl ation began with deceased (autopsy) and was later extended to the living (s urgical pathology). Although the roots of surgical pathology began during t he first half of the 19th century, this distinctive specialty evolved throu gh many subsequent technical and scientific discoveries. This historical re view will trace the advances in microscopy, histochemistry, and surgery in the later half of the 19th century and early 20th century that led to the d evelopment of modem surgical pathology.