Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Concepts in Pathology and Tissue Morphology > Histology > Flashcards

Histology Flashcards

1
Q

Define fixation

A

physical or chemical (most common) method of killing and preserving tissue while retaining characteristic features of shape and structure

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

most common fixative for light microscopy

A

formalin

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

size of sections needed for light microscopy

A

3-10 microns

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

samples for light microscopy are embedded by

A

infiltration with paraffin wax

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

a hypothetical “ideal fixative” would

A
  • penetrate quickly
  • render all parts of cell permanent
  • allow use of all kinds of subsequent stains/tests
  • cause no change by cell shrinkage
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

how does formalin work

A

cross-links membrane proteins by covalent bonding

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

ideal qualities of formalin

A
  • penetrates quickly
  • causes little distortion
  • does not destroy cellular constituents
  • can be followed by almost all stains
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

disadvantages of formalin that can be helped by combining with another fixative

A

hardens tissues slowly, does not protect them from shrinkage during embedding/sectioning

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

standard fixative for electron microscopy

A 
osmium tetroxide (OsO4)
^often just called osmium
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

ideal quality of osmium

A

preserves cell closer to living form than any other fixative

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

disadvantages of osmium

A

penetrates poorly and cannot be followed by many stains

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

what is stained black with osmium

A

fat and various lipid-containing materials (ie myelin sheaths)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

size of section needed for electron microscopy

A

.1 micron (30-100 times thinner than what can be used with light microscopy)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

samples for electron microscopy are embedded with

A

a plastic -> epon or araldite (epoxy resins)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

what are serial sections

A

multiple consecutive tissue sections prepared as slides

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Serial sections can help visualize 3D structure;
Different stains can be used on serial sections;
what other reason might serial sections be used?

A

they can increase the likelihood if finding an abnormality because pathologic changes can be patchy or focal
(serial sections increase sensitivity)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

what tool is used to create serial sections

A

microtome

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

what is a a Giemsa/Wrights stain primarily used for?

A

peripheral blood smears

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

what is a hematoxylin and eosin (H and E) stain used for?

A

it is the primary stain for tissues in pathology

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Masson’s Trichrome stain is often used for liver biopsies. What does this stain help visualize?

A

collagen/fibrosis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What colors are seen in Masson’s trichrome stain?

A
  • BLUE (GREEN) for collagen fibers
  • RED for muscle fibers
  • BLUE for nuclei (due to H and E first stain)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

PAS stain is important for detecting diabetic changes in the kidney. What does Periodic Acid Schiff (PAS) stain show

A

specific carbohydrates and carbohydrate compounds

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

Immunohistochemistry (IHC) is a technique used with light microscopy that allows selective viewing of antigens (typically proteins) by using the principle of

A

specific antibody-antigen binding

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

Because immunohistochemistry (IHC) allows us understand the distribution of specific cellular constituents, how can it be clinically helpful?

A
  • narrowing differential diagnoses
  • identifying tissue of origin in metastatic disease
  • provide prognostic information in malignancies
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

Antigens in what location(s) can IHC bind

A

*anywhere

cell membrane, cytoplasm, or nucleus

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

basic prep of tissues for exam

A

collect -> fix -> cut -> mount -> stain

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

Epithelial tissue can be derived from all three embryologic germ layers. Where might you find epithelial tissue derived from ectoderm?

A

epidermis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
28
Q

Epithelial tissue can be derived from all three embryologic germ layers. Where might you find epithelial tissue derived from mesoderm?

A

mesothelial cells

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
29
Q

Epithelial tissue can be derived from all three embryologic germ layers. Where might you find epithelial tissue derived from endoderm?

A

lining of GI tract

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
30
Q

2 main forms of epithelial tissue

A
  • sheets the line the body surfaces (internal and external)

* glands

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
31
Q

Epithelial tissue has a lack of dedicated blood supply and needs to obtain nutrients/waste through

A

diffusion from underlying CT

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
32
Q

All epithelial tissue is attached to

A

a basement membrane called basal lamina

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
33
Q

epithelial cells have apical and basal surfaces, making them

A

structurally and functionally polar

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
34
Q

where will you find simple squamous epithelium?

A
  • body cavities (mesothelium)
  • inner lining of vascular system (endothelium)
  • lung alveoli
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
35
Q

where will you find simple cuboidal epithelium?

A
  • kidney tubules
  • endocrine glands
  • covering of ovary
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
36
Q

where will you find simple columnar epithelium?

A
  • inner lining of GI tract

* Inner lining of Reproductive tract

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
37
Q

There are 4 kinds of mesothelium, what are they found?

hint: the 4th kind is found only in males

A
  • pleural cavity
  • pericardium
  • peritoneum
  • tunica vaginalis of testes
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
38
Q

where will you find stratified squamous epithelium?

A
  • oral cavity
  • skin (epidermis)
  • vagina
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
39
Q

where will you find stratified cuboidal epithelium?

A
  • ducts of glands

* very rare: sweat glands and male urethra

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
40
Q

where will you find stratified columnar epithelium?

hint: it’s very rare in the body

A
  • conjunctiva

* vas deferens

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
41
Q

Mucosa and skin both have stratified squamous epithelium. What is the main differentiating detail between the 2?

A

skin has a superficial keratin layer (stratum corneum)

and mucosa does not

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
42
Q

where will you find pseudostratified epithelium?

A
  • respiratory: lining nasal cavity, sinus, trachea, bronchi
  • lining auditory tube and part of tympanic cavity
  • lining of epididymis and ductus deferens
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
43
Q

transitional epithelium or urothelium is found where?

A
  • lining urinary tract from kidney to urethra

* esp important in bladder

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
44
Q

in what tissue type are tight junctions found?

A

epithelia

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
45
Q

function of tight junctions

A

•barriers that regulate movement of water and solutes between epithelial cells

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
46
Q

movement of solutes through tight junctions is heavily dependent on

A

size and charge

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
47
Q

damage to tight junctions by trauma can cause

A

leakage and bleeding (edema)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
48
Q

main transmembrane proteins in tight junctions

A

occludin and claudin

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
49
Q

gap (communicating) junctions allow for coordinated responses and activities of epithelium by

A

mediating intercellular (cell-to-cell or cell-to-tissue) communication by permitting passage of small molecules

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
50
Q

transmembrane proteins involved and structure of gap junctions

A

connexins that organize into 6-unit connecons with a central hydrophilic channel

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
51
Q

In what organ are gap junctions especially important?

A

the heart; allows coordinated electrical impulses: SA node -> AV node -> bundle of HIS

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
52
Q

key characteristic of cilia

A
  • motile structures

* composed of microtubules

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
53
Q

key characteristics of microvilli

A
  • non-motile, but absorptive (increase SA)

* composed of actin

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
54
Q

all multicellular glands develops as

A

outgrowths of epithelium into underlying CT

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
55
Q

multicellular exocrine glands can be distinguished by the presence of

A

a duct (stratified cuboidal)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
56
Q

exocrine glands, by definition, secrete where

A

onto a body surface or into a body cavity

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
57
Q

what is a single cell exocrine gland

A
  • goblet cell

* no duct, but secretes onto a body surface or into a body cavity

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
58
Q

endocrine glands secrete where

A
  • no duct

* product released to blood

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
59
Q

all connective tissue is derived from what embryonic germ layer?

A

mesoderm/mesenchyme

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
60
Q

what 3 main components can be found in all connective tissue (except blood/lymph)?

A
  • fibers -> dense, acellular (not in blood/lymph)
  • cells
  • ground substance (ECM; not in blood/lymph)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
61
Q

what are the 2 main component of the ground substance of CT?

A

glycoproteins and proteoglycans

62
Q

prominent cell type in CT proper

A

fibroblasts

63
Q

prominent cell types in cartilage

A

chondroblasts and chondrocytes

64
Q

prominent cell types in bone

A
  • osteocytes

* osteoblast/osteoclasts

65
Q

prominent cell type in adipose tissue

A

adipocytes

66
Q

prominent cell type in blood

A
  • erythrocytes
  • leukocytes
  • thrombocytes
67
Q

What are they main types of CT

A
  • CT Proper: DRCT, DICT, LCT

* Specialized: Cartilage, Bone, Adipose, Blood, reticular tissue

68
Q

adipose tissue and blood are unique CT in that they lack

A

ground substance

69
Q 
function of fibroblasts (active cells)
when resting, they're called fibrocytes
A
  • produce elastic and collagen fibers

* important in wound healing

70
Q

function of elastic and collagen fibers in CT proper

A
  • medium for oxygen and nutrients to diffuse from capillaries to cells, and waste to go opposite direction
  • resist stretching and tearing forces
71
Q

in dense regular CT, collagen fibers are bundled

A

in a parallel fashion

72
Q

where would you find dense regular CT

A

tendons and ligaments

73
Q

specialized function of dense regular CT

A

great tensile strength that is resistant to pulling forces, especially in one direction (parallel to the fibers)

74
Q

Why do damaged tendons and ligaments take so long to heal?

A

because dense regular CT has a very poor blood supply; capillaries are very few and far between

75
Q

where would you find dense irregular CT

hint: it resists pulling forces in multiple directions

A

mainly in the reticular (deep) layer of the dermis

76
Q

chondrocytes can be found in lacunae within cartilage. What is their function?

A

produce elastic fibers

77
Q

function of elastic fibers in cartilage

A

resist stretching and tearing forces in cartilage

78
Q

function of osteoblasts

A

lay down bone

79
Q

function of osteoclasts

A

“eat” bone

80
Q

balance of what cell types is important in keeping bone strong?

A

osteoclasts and osteoblasts

81
Q

osteocytes are found within lacunae of bone. What is their function?

A

maintain nutrition to bone and ECM

82
Q

key identifying histologic feature of osteoclasts

A

they are generally multinucleated

83
Q

80% of total bone mass in adults is made up of cortical bone, which is the outer “hard” layer. What are identifying histologic features of cortical bone?

A

networks of haversian canals, which contain blood vessels

84
Q

trabecular bone is the inner “spongy” or soft bone which is composed of intersecting trabeculae. What is found within the space between trabeculae?

A

bone marrow, where hematopoesis occurs

85
Q

Adipocytes can mobilized energy sources in response to hormonal stimulation. what is a special function of adipocytes?

A

synthesis and storage of fat

86
Q

what type of fibers will be found between adipocytes in adipose tissue

87
Q

most of the volume of adipocytes is made up of lipids. What does adipose tissue look like histologically?

A

balloons with peripherally located nuclei that will only be visible for some

88
Q

most fat is white adipose tissue. Where might you find brown adipose tissue?

89
Q

blood/lymph is a unique type of CT in that it lacks

A
  • both ground substance and fibers (collagen or elastic)

* tho some say that plasma is the matrix of blood

90
Q

reticular fibers can be thought of as “connective tissue within connective tissue.”
what type of collagen is found in reticular fibers

91
Q

where would you find the fine, lace-like meshwork of CT known as reticular tissue?

A

lymph nodes and spleen

92
Q

which types of muscle are striated

A

skeletal and cardiac

93
Q

skeletal muscle is a highly organized system of contractile proteins that are formed by the fusion of individual cells during development, making them

A

multinucleated

94
Q

unlike skeletal muscle, cardiac muscle cells are

A

mononuclear and branching

95
Q

smooth muscle is made up of spindle-shaped cells that are connected to one another via

A

gap junctions

96
Q

contrasted with cardiac and skeletal muscle, smooth muscle cells have ____ contractions and are ____ organized

A

slower; less

97
Q

come, let’s get sun burned

A 
the layers of the skin from superficial to deep:
•stratum corneum
•stratum lucidum
•stratum granulosum
•stratum spinosum
•stratum basale
98
Q

which layer of the epidermis is responsible for repair and regeneration?

A

stratum basale

99
Q

which layer of epidermis contains melanocytes

A

stratum basale

100
Q

what function do melanocytes have

A

pigment (melanin) producing

101
Q

what function do langerhans cells have in the epidermis

A

antigen-presenting

102
Q

what function do merkel cell have in epidermis

103
Q

keratinocytes are the squamous epithelial cells of our epidermis. Where would you find dead keratinocytes

A

in the stratum corneum. this is the “keratinized” layer

104
Q

other names for hypodermis

A

subcutaneous layer or subcutis

105
Q

Since the epidermis is epithelium, and therefore avascular. The vascular dermis needs to support it with nutrients. What is another important function of dermis?

A

thermoregulation, which also has a lot to do with vascularization (vasoconstriction/dilation) as well as arrector pili muscles/hair follicles (goose bumps)

106
Q

what are the cellular components of the dermis

A

•fibroblasts (mostly)

and immunologic cells:
•macrophages
•mast cells
•other leukocytes

107
Q

non-cellular components of dermis

A
  • collagen (type I and II)
  • elastic fibers
  • ground substance
108
Q

papillary dermis is made up of what kind of tissue?

A

loose (areolar) CT

109
Q

reticular dermis is made up of what kind of tissue?

A

dense irregular CT

110
Q

most common kind(s) of skin cancer and cells involved

A
  • squamous cell carcinoma (keratinocytes in stratum spinosum)
  • basal cell carcinoma (basal cells=primitive keratinocytes in stratum basale)
111
Q

melanoma is actually a less common type of skin cancer, but is often more deadly and more prone to metastatic processes. Where is this cancer found and what cells are involved

A

the melanocytes, which are located in stratum basale

112
Q

another kind of skin cancer is called Merkel cell carcinoma, which involved the tactile merkel cells. where are they located?

A

stratum basale

113
Q

friction blisters occur most commonly on the soles of feet. What layers of skin are involved and how does this happen?

A

•fluid build-up between epidermis and dermis due to issue with anchoring junctions (hemidesmosomes)

114
Q

hypopigmentation (albinism) is a non-neoplastic condition of the skin. what is the problem in this condition?

A

congenital defect in melanin producing pathway (eg defect in tyrosinase)

115
Q

depigmentation (vitiligo) is a non-neoplastic condition of the skin that is postulated to be an auto-immune disease. What occurs in this condition?

A

acquired condition with loss or decreased activity of melanocytes

116
Q

what kind of tissue is found in the hypodermis/subcutis?

A

loose (areolar) CT

117
Q

all luminal regions of the GI tract have certain structural features in common, which are

A
  • lumen
  • mucosa
  • submucosa
  • muscularis propria
  • serosa/adventitia
118
Q

mucosa of the GI tract can be broken down into

A
  • epithelial lining
  • lamina propria (loose CT)
  • muscularis mucosa
119
Q

submucosa of GI tract is made up of what kind of tissue

120
Q

serosa/adventitia is made up of what kind of tissue

121
Q

the muscularis propria is generally broken down into what 2 layers

A

inner circular

outer longitudinal

122
Q

what is located between the inner circular and outer longitudinal layers of muscularis propria

A

myenteric nerve plexus

123
Q

there is are 2 nerve plexuses in the GI tract. the myenteric nerve plexus is located between the 2 layers of muscularis propria. What is the other plexus

A

submucosal plexus

124
Q

what 2 parts of the GI tract are lined by squamous, not columnar epithelium?

A

esophagus and anus

125
Q

what is the GE junction

A

the gastroesophageal junction is where you can see a transition between stratified squamous epithelium (esophagus) to simple columnar (stomach)

126
Q

2 important secretions from gastric glands

A

HCL and pepsinogen

127
Q

what’s the main histologic difference between small and large intestine?

A

large intestine has crypts, but not villi, while small intestine has both

128
Q

what does the appendix look like histologically?

A

resembles the colon, but has innumerable lymphoid aggregates with reactive germinal centers in the mucosa and submucosa

129
Q

the pancreatic exocrine function is carried out by acinar cells, which produce 1.5 L of alkaline pancreatic juice per day and secrete them to the duodenum. What types of substances are made

A

proteases, amylases, lipases

130
Q

the endocrine function of the pancreas is carried out by the islets of langerhan. what substances are made here?

A

insulin, glucagon, somatostatin

131
Q

the main digestive function of the liver is to produce bile. What other functions do hepatocytes carry out
hint: think production and storage

A
  • synthesis of plasma proteins
  • conversion of amino acids to glucose
  • production of urea
  • storage of glucose
  • storage of vitamin A
  • storage of iron
132
Q

what type of epithelium will you find lining body cavities (mesothelium)

A

simple squamous

133
Q

what type of epithelium will you find in the inner lining of vascular system (endothelium)

A

simple squamous

134
Q

what type of epithelium will you find in lung alveoli

A

simple squamous

135
Q

What type of epithelium is found in kidney tubules

A

simple cuboidal

136
Q

What type of epithelium is found in endocrine glands

A

simple cuboidal

137
Q

What type of epithelium is found covering of ovary

A

simple cuboidal

138
Q

What type of epithelium is found in the inner lining of GI tract

A

simple columnar

139
Q

What type of epithelium is found in the Inner lining of Reproductive tract

A

simple columnar

140
Q

What type of epithelium is found in the oral cavity

A

stratified squamous

141
Q

What type of epithelium is found in skin (epidermis)

A

stratified squamous (keratinized)

142
Q

What type of epithelium is found in the vagina

A

stratified squamous

143
Q

What type of epithelium is found in ducts of glands

A

stratified cuboidal

144
Q

What type of epithelium is found in sweat glands

A

stratified cuboidal

145
Q

What type of epithelium is found in the male urethra

A

stratified cuboidal

146
Q

What type of epithelium is found in conjunctiva

A

stratified columnar

147
Q

What type of epithelium is found in the vas deferens

A

stratified columnar

148
Q

What type of epithelium will you find lining nasal cavity, sinus, trachea, bronchi

A

pseudostratified

149
Q

What type of epithelium will you find lining the auditory tube and part of tympanic cavity

A

pseudostratified

150
Q

What type of epithelium will you find in the lining of epididymis and ductus deferens

A

pseudostratified

Concepts in Pathology and Tissue Morphology (10 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions