What does pathology study?

Pathology is the branch of medicine that focuses on the study of diseases. It involves understanding the causes, development, and consequences of various diseases, including the changes that occur in tissues and organs due to disease processes. Pathologists examine biopsies, surgical specimens, and conduct autopsies to establish diagnoses based on cellular and molecular alterations. This field is essential for accurately diagnosing illnesses, guiding treatment strategies, and assessing the prognoses of patients.

The other choices touch on different aspects of health and medicine. Healthy tissues pertain to normal biological structures without disease influence. Surgeries focus on the operative interventions used to treat various conditions, while medications involve therapeutic agents used to manage diseases rather than studying them. Hence, the focus of pathology distinctly aligns with the study of diseases, making it the appropriate choice.