What is histology?
Histology is the study of the cells and tissues of plants, animals and humans. It is a Greek word that comes from histos, meaning tissue, and logia, meaning knowledge. Together, the words combine to mean the analysis of composition, structure and function of tissue. The discipline also studies cells and, to a lesser degree, organs. Cells and tissues are placed under a microscope and studied closely for diseases and other abnormalities. The science is built on the premises of larger disciplines because it studies the building blocks of a human, animal or plant structure. Tissues, which are collections of cells, are studied in groups. In plants, cell histology investigates how cells process nutrients, get rid of waste and interact with other cells. Human histology places a strong focus on how cells become tissues, which become organs, which become body systems. Histological studies and programs are similar to cellular biology courses. Those interested in pursuing a career as a histotechn
Histology is the microscopic study of tissue, which is an organized collection of cells and their supporting structures. In Barrett’s esophagus, biopsy with histology preserves the normal architecture of the tissue such that not only can the individual Barrett’s cells be seen, but also their relationship to other Barrett’s cells or “growth pattern” can be seen. In Barrett’s esophagus, the growth pattern of cells is in the form of glands.
Histology is the study of how cells are organized into tissue. The objective of most histologists is to accumulate enough knowledge of structure in order to understand the functions of living and dead (fixed or preserved) tissue. There are many different methods used by histologists to examine specimens. Some types of cells can be sufficiently studied by placing them on slides for staining. The staining is used to highlight certain parts of the cells. After the staining is done, the next step then is to cut the tissue into thin translucent slices, which are usually 5 microns thick.
The exterior of fossilized bones provide the raw data upon which we base our understanding of how dinosaurs looked, behaved, and were related to each other. The microscopic, internal architecture of fossilized bones (bone histology) records the entire history of growth throughout the life of the individual, and provides important clues to the growth rates, longevities, and growth strategies of dinosaurs. Bone histology breathes new life into these fossils , and offers a rigorous, testable means of addressing hypotheses of dinosaur life history.
