Types of Histology

Question 1

What is histology?

Answer 1

Study of cells & tissue - microscopically - look at specimens of tissue prepared using histological techniques

Question 2

What is histopathology?

Answer 2

Microscopic examination of biological tissues - observe diseased cells & tissue in very fine details

Question 3

What is histo-chemistry?

Answer 3

Identification & distribution of chemical compounds within & between biological cells using staining, indicators, & light

Question 4

Uses of histology?

Answer 4

Education - understand the physiology of cells/tissues/organs/systems
Diagnosis - inform treatment
Forensic investigation - autopsy - cause of death
Research
Archeology - tissue recovered from archeological sites - bone & teeth

Question 5

What is cytology?

Answer 5

Examining cells from bodily tissues or fluids to determine diagnosis

Question 6

What is Fine Needle Aspiration?

Answer 6

Very thin, hollow needle attachedd to a syringe - take small amount of fluid & very small piece of tissue from tumour - guided to tumour by doctor feeling tumour (close to skin) or using ultrasound/ CT scan(deep)

Question 7

What is the advantage of FNA?

Answer 7

Skin isn’t cut - quick diagnosis

Question 8

What are disadvantages of FNA?

Answer 8

Sometimes doesn’t remove enough tissue for diagnosis

Question 9

What does FNA stand for?

Answer 9

Fine needle aspiration

Question 10

Types of fluid cytology.

Answer 10

Urine, sputum, CSF, pleural fluid, pericardial fluid, ascitic fluid (ascites/peritoneal fluid)

Question 11

What is scrape/brush cytology?

Answer 11

Scrape & brush some cells from organs/tissue - Pap test - small spatula/brush removes cervical cells - include oesophagus, stomach, bronchi, mouth

Question 12

What stains are used in cytology?

Answer 12

Papanicolaou stain - stain alcohol fixed cytology slides
Romanowsky stain - wet fixed slides - Giemsa stain

Question 13

What is immunohistochemistry?

Answer 13

Detecting antigens in cells - antibodies bind to specific antigen - visualised in different ways e.g. enzymes such as horseradish peroxidase & alkaline phosphate as they catalyse a colour-producing reaction

Question 14

Why is IHC used in a clinical setting?

Answer 14

visualise distribution & localisation of specific cellular components within cells & in proper tissue context - localise antigens

Question 15

What is diagnostic neuropatholgy?

Answer 15

Study of disease of nervous system -nerves, brain tissue, spinal tissue, muscle

Question 16

What is electron microscopy?

Answer 16

Method for obtaining high resolution images of biological & non-biological specimens - investigate detail structure of tissue, cells, organelles & macromolecular complexes

Question 17

What is an electron microscope?

Answer 17

Microscope uses a beam of accelerated electrons as a source of illumination - wavelength 100,000 shorther than visible light photons - reveal structure of small objects

Question 18

Samples tested in EM

Answer 18

Tumours, renal pathology, neuropathology, cytology. autopsy specimens

Question 19

What is post mortem pathology?

Answer 19

Tissue after death - pathologist specialised in histopathology - criminal activity carried out by forensic pathologist

Question 20

What is an example of the process a sample goes through in a histopathology lab?

Answer 20

1. Sample reception
2. Cut up - grossing, inking, overnight processing
3. Main lab embedding, microtomy, staining, case assembly
4. Pathologist