December 1, 2023
In pathology, the term diffuse is used to describe a change that is seen throughout the tissue sample examined. Diffuse changes can be seen when the tissue is examined by eye (this is called the gross examination) or under the microscope. The opposite of diffuse is focal.
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This article was written by doctors to help you read and understand your pathology report. Contact us if you have questions about this article or your pathology report. For a complete introduction to your pathology report, read this article.
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