Tuesday, July 24, 2007

NOMENCLATURE


In pathological examination involving malignant tumours (or cancers), the terms well, moderately & poorly differentiated are commonly used to describe the tumour cells. Differentiation means the degree of resemblance of the tumour cells to normal cells.

Our Professor in Pathology, Prof LM, has a unique & interesting way of explaining differentiation to the class:


Well differentiated baby → a baby who looks exactly like one of its parents

Moderately differentiated baby → a baby who looks a little bit like the mother & a little bit like the father

Poorly differentiated baby → a baby who doesn’t look like either parent, but still can make out its race (ie. Malay, Chinese or Indian)

Undifferentiated or anaplastic baby → can’t make out anything, probably from outer space

No comments: