Histopathology is the study of tissues and cells at a microscopic level, in order to diagnose diseases and conditions. Some synonyms for this term include pathological anatomy, tissue pathology, cellular pathology, and diagnostic histology. These terms relate to the same field of study, but may reflect slightly different perspectives. Pathological anatomy, for instance, emphasizes the physical structures of tissues and organs, while cellular pathology focuses on the specific characteristics of individual cells. Diagnostic histology highlights the role of tissue analysis in identifying disease. Regardless of the term used, histopathology is an essential part of many medical diagnoses and treatments.