In reviewing briefly the changes that have taken place during the past decade (1977-86) in the theory and practice of pathology and, in the theory and practice of pathology and, more particularly, in the Pathology Service within the overall Soviet Health care system, it should be noted first of all that this period has been productive with regard to both the practical work of the pathology departments in hospitals and the research activities of scientific institutions. Pathology is gaining importance as a basic biomedical discipline. Considerable successes have been scored in fundamental research not only by the central scientific institutions but also by laboratories for morphologic research and departments of pathology at educational establishments in most of the Union Republics. Many of such laboratories and departments are well equipped and conduct work at a high technological and methodological level in areas of high priority. The number of interdisciplinary research projects has increased. A series of monographs has been published, devoted to various aspects of methodology on medicine, to the relationship between form and function, or to a critique of erroneous theories. Scientific cooperation with pathologists of other Socialist countries has been expanding, as has the participation of Soviet pathologists at international congresses, symposia, and other meetings. An important achievement has been the establishment of a network of pathology departments of hospitals and of pathologic service bureaus. There is little doubt that these bureaus which have so far been set up on a pilot basis, will become an important component of the Pathology Service on which this will rely for research progress and for keeping abreast of technological developments. They are also called upon to promote better services in rural areas. The construction of new buildings for hospital pathology departments has been expanded, but the rate and magnitude of this activity cannot yet be regarded as satisfactory. Over the past decade, pathology laboratories at hospitals have become important diagnostic centers indispensable for accurate diagnosis of many diseases through examination of biopsy specimens, and they are now better equipped than before, although the improvements have been less spectacular than expected. The quality of postmortem and clinicopathologic analysis has improved. A notable event was the session of the Collegium of the USSR Ministry of Health devoted to the Pathology Service development.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)