The discipline in which disease processes are assessed and monitored by the examination of blood, body fluids, secretions, and aspirated specimens. The detection of chemical, morphological, microbiological, and immunological abnormalities in this material is reported as laboratory results. In contrast, anatomical pathology is that branch of pathology dealing with the nature of a disease process through studying the gross and microscopic features of tissues and fluids removed either at postmortem examination (autopsy) or during surgery. However, divisions between anatomical and clinical pathology are somewhat artificial and largely embedded in how pathology evolved in academic practice. Information derived from autopsy examinations, surgical specimens, or clinical laboratory testing provides physicians with the means to confirm a final diagnosis and to evaluate nonsurgical conditions. Such information is used by physicians in diagnosis and in therapy management.