Human Anatomy/Advanced Biology: Pathology in Real Life — with Dr. Catriona Anderson

Step inside the pathology lab with Dr. Catriona Anderson—Edinburgh-trained physician and former histopathologist—as she demystifies what really happens from biopsy to diagnosis. In this interview, Dr. Anderson (who also homeschools her children) bridges classroom concepts with real clinical practice: how tissue is preserved and turned into slides, why H&E’s pink-and-purple world is the universal language of pathologists, when labs add immunohistochemistry or DNA testing, and how long results actually take.

Students also get clear, memorable explanations of core anatomy & physiology ideas:

• ​ Goblet cells and respiratory epithelium (why mucus matters)
• ​ Cell specialization & regeneration—what heals fast, what doesn’t, and why
• ​ Connective tissue (loose vs. dense, cartilage, bone, blood)
• ​ Immune defense in action—neutrophils, macrophages, B/T cells, and memory

Real stories, precise science, and practical pathways connect high-school learning to healthcare careers, showing how pathologists collaborate with surgeons and physicians to guide treatment. Perfect for motivated homeschool and classroom learners who want to see how anatomy becomes diagnosis—and how biology saves lives.