Clinical pathology is the laboratory study of cells and tissues. A pathologist identifies the causes and processes of diseases through microscopic study. Some human samples studied under a microscope include tissue specimens, cells, body fluids and secretions. Information gathered from the laboratory study of these samples from the body allow the pathologist to diagnose, confirm and monitor diseases.

Doctor density varies by specialty and location. Minnesota has 106 practicing clinical pathologists. Broken out by city, clinical pathology doctor density in Albert Lea is 4, in Austin is 1, in Coon Rapids is 1, in Detroit Lakes is 2, in Duluth is 4, in Eden Prairie is 2, in Hibbing is 1, in Long Lake is 2, in Mankato is 4, in Maple Grove is 1, in Minneapolis is 20, in Park Rapids is 2, in Plymouth is 1, in Red Wing is 1, in Richfield is 1, in Robbinsdale is 1, in Rochester is 59, in Saint Cloud is 6, in Saint Louis Park is 1, in Saint Paul is 11, in Thief River Falls is 1, and in Woodbury is 2.

Minnesota has a population of 5,132,799, more than half of which is in the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, also called the Twin Cities. Though St. Paul is the capital of Minnesota, Minneapolis is its largest city. Minnesota is known as the “Land of 10,000 Lakes,” so summer water-based activities and winter ice fishing, skating, skiing and snowmobiling are popular in this state. The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is located at Minnesota’s northern boundary. When in the Twin Cities, be sure to visit the nearby Mall of America in Bloomington; the most-visited shopping mall in the world.

According to 2005 Census estimates, Minnesota has a population of 5,132,799. Of this population, 1,189,370 are under the age of 18 and 621,336 are at or above the age of 65.