The pathologist dissects and diagnosticates. The patient's cause of death is confirmed by the postmortem.
The pathologist diagnosticates tissue specimens extracted from living patients by a histological section.
Highly renowned pathologists have been heads of the Institute for Pathology at the General Hospital and of the museum (see History of the collection).
There is no doubt that Carl von Rokitansky has been the most famous head of the museum so far. He described many facts of pathology which are still valid today. Rokitansky was the founder of the "IInd Medical School".
Just look at the two dissecting tables, both signed, at the autopsy room.