Histology Flashcards
Define fixation
physical or chemical (most common) method of killing and preserving tissue while retaining characteristic features of shape and structure
most common fixative for light microscopy
formalin
size of sections needed for light microscopy
3-10 microns
samples for light microscopy are embedded by
infiltration with paraffin wax
a hypothetical “ideal fixative” would
- penetrate quickly
- render all parts of cell permanent
- allow use of all kinds of subsequent stains/tests
- cause no change by cell shrinkage
how does formalin work
cross-links membrane proteins by covalent bonding
ideal qualities of formalin
- penetrates quickly
- causes little distortion
- does not destroy cellular constituents
- can be followed by almost all stains
disadvantages of formalin that can be helped by combining with another fixative
hardens tissues slowly, does not protect them from shrinkage during embedding/sectioning
standard fixative for electron microscopy
osmium tetroxide (OsO4) ^often just called osmium
ideal quality of osmium
preserves cell closer to living form than any other fixative
disadvantages of osmium
penetrates poorly and cannot be followed by many stains
what is stained black with osmium
fat and various lipid-containing materials (ie myelin sheaths)
size of section needed for electron microscopy
.1 micron (30-100 times thinner than what can be used with light microscopy)
samples for electron microscopy are embedded with
a plastic -> epon or araldite (epoxy resins)
what are serial sections
multiple consecutive tissue sections prepared as slides
Serial sections can help visualize 3D structure;
Different stains can be used on serial sections;
what other reason might serial sections be used?
they can increase the likelihood if finding an abnormality because pathologic changes can be patchy or focal
(serial sections increase sensitivity)
what tool is used to create serial sections
microtome
what is a a Giemsa/Wrights stain primarily used for?
peripheral blood smears
what is a hematoxylin and eosin (H and E) stain used for?
it is the primary stain for tissues in pathology
Masson’s Trichrome stain is often used for liver biopsies. What does this stain help visualize?
collagen/fibrosis
What colors are seen in Masson’s trichrome stain?
- BLUE (GREEN) for collagen fibers
- RED for muscle fibers
- BLUE for nuclei (due to H and E first stain)
PAS stain is important for detecting diabetic changes in the kidney. What does Periodic Acid Schiff (PAS) stain show
specific carbohydrates and carbohydrate compounds
Immunohistochemistry (IHC) is a technique used with light microscopy that allows selective viewing of antigens (typically proteins) by using the principle of
specific antibody-antigen binding
Because immunohistochemistry (IHC) allows us understand the distribution of specific cellular constituents, how can it be clinically helpful?
- narrowing differential diagnoses
- identifying tissue of origin in metastatic disease
- provide prognostic information in malignancies
Antigens in what location(s) can IHC bind
*anywhere
cell membrane, cytoplasm, or nucleus
basic prep of tissues for exam
collect -> fix -> cut -> mount -> stain
Epithelial tissue can be derived from all three embryologic germ layers. Where might you find epithelial tissue derived from ectoderm?
epidermis
Epithelial tissue can be derived from all three embryologic germ layers. Where might you find epithelial tissue derived from mesoderm?
mesothelial cells
Epithelial tissue can be derived from all three embryologic germ layers. Where might you find epithelial tissue derived from endoderm?
lining of GI tract
2 main forms of epithelial tissue
- sheets the line the body surfaces (internal and external)
* glands
Epithelial tissue has a lack of dedicated blood supply and needs to obtain nutrients/waste through
diffusion from underlying CT
All epithelial tissue is attached to
a basement membrane called basal lamina
epithelial cells have apical and basal surfaces, making them
structurally and functionally polar
where will you find simple squamous epithelium?
- body cavities (mesothelium)
- inner lining of vascular system (endothelium)
- lung alveoli
where will you find simple cuboidal epithelium?
- kidney tubules
- endocrine glands
- covering of ovary
where will you find simple columnar epithelium?
- inner lining of GI tract
* Inner lining of Reproductive tract
There are 4 kinds of mesothelium, what are they found?
hint: the 4th kind is found only in males
- pleural cavity
- pericardium
- peritoneum
- tunica vaginalis of testes
where will you find stratified squamous epithelium?
- oral cavity
- skin (epidermis)
- vagina
where will you find stratified cuboidal epithelium?
- ducts of glands
* very rare: sweat glands and male urethra
where will you find stratified columnar epithelium?
hint: it’s very rare in the body
- conjunctiva
* vas deferens
Mucosa and skin both have stratified squamous epithelium. What is the main differentiating detail between the 2?
skin has a superficial keratin layer (stratum corneum)
and mucosa does not
where will you find pseudostratified epithelium?
- respiratory: lining nasal cavity, sinus, trachea, bronchi
- lining auditory tube and part of tympanic cavity
- lining of epididymis and ductus deferens
transitional epithelium or urothelium is found where?
- lining urinary tract from kidney to urethra
* esp important in bladder
in what tissue type are tight junctions found?
epithelia
function of tight junctions
•barriers that regulate movement of water and solutes between epithelial cells
movement of solutes through tight junctions is heavily dependent on
size and charge
damage to tight junctions by trauma can cause
leakage and bleeding (edema)
main transmembrane proteins in tight junctions
occludin and claudin
gap (communicating) junctions allow for coordinated responses and activities of epithelium by
mediating intercellular (cell-to-cell or cell-to-tissue) communication by permitting passage of small molecules
transmembrane proteins involved and structure of gap junctions
connexins that organize into 6-unit connecons with a central hydrophilic channel
In what organ are gap junctions especially important?
the heart; allows coordinated electrical impulses: SA node -> AV node -> bundle of HIS
key characteristic of cilia
- motile structures
* composed of microtubules
key characteristics of microvilli
- non-motile, but absorptive (increase SA)
* composed of actin
all multicellular glands develops as
outgrowths of epithelium into underlying CT
multicellular exocrine glands can be distinguished by the presence of
a duct (stratified cuboidal)
exocrine glands, by definition, secrete where
onto a body surface or into a body cavity
what is a single cell exocrine gland
- goblet cell
* no duct, but secretes onto a body surface or into a body cavity
endocrine glands secrete where
- no duct
* product released to blood
all connective tissue is derived from what embryonic germ layer?
mesoderm/mesenchyme
what 3 main components can be found in all connective tissue (except blood/lymph)?
- fibers -> dense, acellular (not in blood/lymph)
- cells
- ground substance (ECM; not in blood/lymph)