Pathobiology is the study of how biological processes malfunction in disease. Sometimes referred to as pathology, it encompasses the study of pathological changes in cells, tissues, and organs. There are several synonyms for pathobiology, including pathophysiology, which focuses on the physiological changes that underlie disease. Other synonyms include medical pathology, which is the study of disease in relation to medical diagnosis, and molecular pathology, which examines diseases at the molecular level. Additionally, clinical pathology refers to laboratory analysis of samples to aid in medical diagnosis and treatment. These synonyms all share a common goal, which is the understanding of how diseases arise and how they can be treated or prevented.