A historical perspective as a compass for future of pathology.

A brief historical overview of pathology's role in the evolution of modern medicine is presented by highlighting the contributions of three outstanding figures in the history of pathology. Morgagni developed the concept of clinical-pathological correlation as a means of understanding "the seats and causes of diseases". Virchow introduced the microscope to pathology as a means of better understanding disease through the study of cellular (and eventually subcellular) events. Welch applied the then-new approaches of bacteriology to the study of disease and established the laboratory as a central focus for the pathologist. Certain common themes in the lives and works of these three founders are analyzed with respect to their signification for pathologists today and in the future.