Histology

Question 1

What is histology

Answer 1

• The study of anatomy of cells and tissues of plants and animals
• Study of their composition and function, diseases are alterations of normal histology
• Ability to identify abnormal tissues, compare histology with patho-histology (link to medical conditions) and associate structure and function

Question 2

What is pathology

Answer 2

• The science of nature, causes and affects of diseases
• Normal physiology to pathogenesis and disease
• Find cause of clinical symptoms and treat the patient
• Histology, chemistry, cytology, microbiology, genetics, virology and immunology

Question 3

What are the types of microscopes

Answer 3

• Light Microscope: Magnify 1000 fold, 2D, snapshot in time, colour
• Scanning Electron Microscope: Scans with a focused beam of electrons, produces 3D images of surface topography, limited of resolution 2nm, colour
• Transmission Electron Microscope: Limit of resolution 2nm, 2D snapshot in time, black and white

Question 4

What are artefacts

Answer 4

• Artefact: Pseudo-structure, something observed that is not natural present, chemical or physical alterations or contaminations before or during the processing
• Examples: Shrinkage, colour changes, alteration of structures, folding, scratches, foreign material, can lead to hidden structures and change of tissue appearance

Question 5

What is the purpose of staining

Answer 5

• Purpose: Most cells are transparent, staining to make cells and their contents visible allows determination of cell type, tissue and pathology
• Types: Acidic and basic dyes allow visualisation of different organelles (H&E staining)

Question 6

What is a H&E stain

Answer 6

• Haematoxylin: Stains like basic dye, reacts with nucleic acids, DNA in nucleus, RNA in ribosomes and in rough endoplasmic reticulum and carbohydrates in cartilage, stains blue / black
• Eosin: Acidic dye (negatively charged), reacts with proteins, filaments in muscle cells, intracellular membranes and extracellular fibres, stains pink

Question 7

What are common terms related to pathology

Answer 7

• Pathos: Suffering
• Logia: Study / understanding
• Cytology: Structure and function of cells
• Etiology / Aetiology: Cause of a disease or condition
• Pathogenesis: Process and manner for developing disease
• Expression: Something visible / manifested
• Morphology: A particular form, shape or structure

Question 8

Who is the father of modern general pathology

Answer 8

• Giovanni Battista Morgagni
• Father of modern general pathology, seats and causes of disease
• Investigated by means of anatomy, published in 1761

Question 9

Who is the father of modern cellular pathology

Answer 9

• Rudolph Virchow
• Father of modern cellular pathology
• All diseases are the results of visible cell abnormalities
• Every cell stems from another cell, 1821-1902

Question 10

Questions for analysing histology

Answer 10

• Is there a scale bar or magnification given?
• Which colour is the image?
• Can I see any double membranes?
• Can I identify organelles or cells? How many?
• Is there anything else that is unusual/special about the image?