"The lung is exposed to the outside environment, perfused by the entire cardiac output, and is sensitive to many systemic diseases, and consequently, pulmonary pathology represents a broad range of particular and systemic disease and syndromes"

http://journals.lww.com/pathologycasereviews/Fulltext/2012/09000/Pulmonary_Pathology.1.aspx

Pathology Case Reviews:

September/October 2012 - Volume 17 - Issue 5 - p 175–176

doi: 10.1097/PCR.0b013e3182712e02

Editorial

Pulmonary Pathology

Schwartz, Arnold M. MD, PhD

"The lung is exposed to the outside environment, perfused by the entire cardiac output, and is sensitive to many systemic diseases, and consequently, pulmonary pathology represents a broad range of particular and systemic disease and syndromes. The pathologist understands that decision making in pulmonary pathology does not begin at the microscope, but rather, analogous to other critical organs and systemic conditions, the history, physical examination, including pulmonary function tests, and the radiographic images represent an important database to begin examination of available pulmonary gross review and histopathological analysis. The integration of the patient history, pulmonary function tests, radiographic images, and pathology should tell a unique coherent story to ensure a correct diagnosis."