Gross pathology

Gross pathology, also simply gross, refers to the macroscopic pathology, and the macroscopic assessment of pathology specimens. It may include preparation of tissue for a microscopic examination. It is an essential part of pathologic assessments.

A kidney tumour (renal oncocytoma) at the time of grossing.

The process of cutting up specimens is known as grossing (North American term), cut-up or macroscopic cut-up (Australian term).

Specimen opening

Usually referred to simply as opening.

May go by the term freshing.

• The first part of a gross pathologic assessment.

Components

1. Orient the specimen.
2. Paint with ink - if applicable.
   • A good general rule is: ink before you think.
3. Cut open for fixation - if not immediately blocked.
4. +/-Weigh.
5. +/-Insert paper towels in the cuts (book marking) for fixation.

Principles of grossing

Main article: Principles of grossing

This article is discusses generalities in grossing.

Gross only

Gross only specimens are examined only at the grossing bench; no microscopy is done. Which specimens are considered "gross only" typically depends on institutional policy.

Common gross only specimens

• Teeth.
• Foreign bodies.
• Femoral head with osteoarthritis - no fracture & no history of cancer.
• Calcific aortic stenosis.

How to gross

Specimen	Subspeciality
Abdominal pannus grossing	Dermatopathology
Aortic valve grossing	Cardiovascular pathology
Cystoprostatectomy	Genitourinary pathology
Femoral head grossing	Soft tissue pathology
Knee replacement specimen grossing	Soft tissue pathology
Mitral valve grossing	Cardiovascular pathology
Orchiectomy	Genitourinary pathology
Partial colectomy for diverticular disease	Gastrointestinal pathology
Partial cystectomy	Genitourinary pathology
Partial nephrectomy	Genitourinary pathology
Penectomy	Genitourinary pathology
Prostate biopsy	Genitourinary pathology
Prostate chips	Genitourinary pathology
Radical cystectomy	Genitourinary pathology
Radical prostatectomy	Genitourinary pathology
Total nephrectomy for tumour	Genitourinary pathology

Gross pathology spot diagnoses

Main article: Gross pathology spot diagnoses

This is a long list of things that can be identified with a reasonable certainty on gross.

See also

• Basics.
• EIT.
• Tissue loss.

External links

• Old (black & white) gross pathology (artandmedicine.com).
• Cut-up manual from the RCPA (rcpa.edu.au).
• Barts Pathology Museum (qmul.ac.uk).