Histology

• What is histology?

  Study of microscopic anatomy of tissues
• Why is histology important for MDT meetings?

  It helps understand links between structure and function
• What are the four basic types of tissues?

  Epithelium, connective, muscle, nerve
• Where can epithelium be found?

  Lining tubes and covering surfaces
• How are epithelia classified?

  Based on cell shape and number of layers
• What are the three different types of epithelial shapes?

  Cuboidal, squamous, columnar

  
• What are the types of epithelia based on cell numbers?

  Pseudostratified, stratified, simple

  
• What does keratinisation indicate in epithelial classification?

  It indicates the presence of keratin in cells

  
• How can we determine if a cell is active?

  By assessing cytoplasm relative to organelles
• What type of epithelium is characterized by a single layer of tall cells?

  Simple columnar

  
• What type of epithelium is characterized by cube-shaped cells?

  Simple cuboidal

  
• What type of epithelium is characterized by flat cells?

  Simple squamous
• What type of epithelium has multiple layers of flat cells?

  Stratified squamous

  
• What type of epithelium appears to have multiple layers but does not?

  Pseudostratified

  
• What are the characteristics of keratinised stratified squamous epithelium?

  Nuclei not visible, multiple layers, flat apical cells

  
• Why do simple squamous epithelia have thin walls?

  For rapid diffusion and osmosis
• Why is stratified squamous epithelium useful?

  It protects areas exposed to wear and tear

  
• What is the function of cuboidal epithelia?

  Involved in absorption, secretion, and transport

  
• What is the function of columnar epithelia?

  Effective absorption and barrier maintenance
• What are the cell domains in epithelial cells?

  Apical domain and basolateral domain

  
• What are some apical surface specialisations?

  Microvilli and cilia
• What is the function of microvilli?

  Increase cell surface area
• What is the function of cilia?

  Transport secretions and sensory detection
• What are the different types of cell junctions?

  Tight junctions, anchoring junctions, desmosomes, gap junctions

  
• What is the role of tight junctions?

  To separate 'outside' from 'inside'
• What is the role of anchoring junctions?

  To anchor the actin cytoskeleton of adjacent cells
• What is the role of desmosomes?

  To act as 'spot welds' anchoring adjacent cells

  
• What is the role of gap junctions?

  To facilitate cell communication
• Why are basal infoldings important?

  They increase surface area for transport proteins
• Where can connective tissues be found?

  Underlying epithelial cells
• What is connective tissue made up of?

  Collagen, elastin, extracellular matrix, cells

  
• What cells are commonly found in connective tissue?

  Fibroblasts, macrophages, adipocytes, mast cells

  
• What will you find in the ECM of connective tissue?

  Collagen, elastin, reticular fibres, proteoglycans

  
• What is the role of the extracellular matrix (ECM)?

  Acts as a sensor and conveys information

  
• What are the three types of connective tissues?

  Loose, dense regular, dense irregular
• What are the characteristics of loose connective tissue?

  Many cells, little collagen, abundant ground substance
• What are the characteristics of dense regular connective tissue?

  Sparse cells, collagen in parallel bundles
• What are the characteristics of dense irregular connective tissue?

  Sparse cells, collagen provides strength
• What are the connective tissue cells?

  Fibroblasts, mast cells, macrophages, adipocytes

  
• What are the three types of connective tissue fibres?

  Collagen, reticular, elastin