Foundations of Pathophysiology: Mechanisms of Disease

Pathophysiology bridges basic science and clinical practice by explaining how diseases disturb normal function. Strong clinical reasoning depends on a structured understanding of these mechanisms. This foundational course provides that base. By the end of this course you will be able to describe core cellular responses to injury, recognize the principles of inflammation and repair, understand common hemodynamic and immunological disorders, and apply mechanistic reasoning to clinical cases. What you will learn: - Cellular responses to injury including adaptation, reversible and irreversible injury, and cell death - The principles of acute and chronic inflammation - The principles of tissue repair and the pathology of disordered healing - Hemodynamic disorders including edema, hemorrhage, thrombosis, and shock - The principles of immune-mediated disease including hypersensitivity - The principles of neoplasia including hallmarks of cancer at a conceptual level - Systemic responses to disease including fever and metabolic responses The course uses readings, mechanism diagrams, clinical correlations, and reflection questions. Each module ends with applied exercises that connect pathophysiology to clinical reasoning. This course is written for medical and allied health students, residents reviewing fundamentals, and clinicians refreshing pathophysiological foundations. By the end you will have replaced fragmented memorization with a structured mechanism-based understanding of disease that supports clinical reasoning across specialties.