Introduction to

Histology
Cell Structures
Dr. Rebecca A. Code
Summer Scholars 2007

Histology the study of

cellular structures of the
body

Anatomy at the microscopic level

(microanatomy)
Cells---tissues---organs---organ
systems
1015 cells in the human body
200+ cell types in the body

Observation the key to identifying cell

Nucleus present in almost

all cells, stains well with
hematoxylin.

Size
Shape
Location
Number
Nucleolus site of rRNA
synthesis
Density

Euchromatic light staining

nucleus due to regions of
chromosomes that are less
coiled, indicating that the DNA is
actively transcribing mRNA.
Heterochromatic dense, darkly
staining nucleus due to tightly
coiled chromatin, presumably not
transcriptionally active.

Cytoplasmic organelles
other clues to differentiate
cell types and function

Ribosomes
Mitochondria
Golgi apparatus
Endoplasmic
reticulum
Microfilaments
Secretory vesicles
Pigment granules
Lipid droplets

Cell Specializations

Microvilli found on many epithelial cells; 1-2

m long extensions of cell membrane; increase
surface area (15-20X) for absorption; lots of
microvilli = brush border
Cilia 7-10 m long; motile structures
stabilized by microtubules; function to move
fluid over cells; found in trachea, bronchi,
oviducts, flagella of sperm.
Stereocilia very long microvilli, non-motile;
for absorption; in epidydimus and on hair cells
of inner ear.

Microvillus

Cilium

Cell Adhesions/Junctions

Nearly all cells are connected to

neighboring cells by cell junctions
Occluding junctions join cells together to
form impermeable barrier
Adhering junctions provide mechanical
attachment between cells.
Communicating junctions permit
movement of ions or molecules between
cells

Cell
Junctions

Occluding the most

apical junction

Adhering 2 types:

Zonula occludens, tight

junctions

Zonula adherentes
Macula adherens =
desmosomes

Communicating

Gap junctions

Histology = 2 dimensional
image

A section is a slice of tissue

Orientation when sectioned affects
what you see.

Section of Round Solid

Object

A
B

Sections cut through a

curved tube

Light Microscope = tool of

the histologist

Oculars
(eyepieces)
Stage
Objective Lens
Condenser
Light source
Focus knobs

Specimen Preparation

Fixation, dehydration, embedding

Sectioning
Staining: most common is H&E
Hematoxylin: cationic dye (+ charge) that
binds to negatively charged (acidic)
structures in the cell. Example: nucleus =
blue
Eosin: anionic dye (- charge) adheres to
basic structures in the cell. Example:
amine groups (NH3+) on proteins make
cytoplasm pink.

Kidney cells

Heterochromatic and Euchromatic

Nuclei

Golgi Apparatus in Nerve

Cells

Mitochondria and
Myofibrils

Microvilli of Intestinal Epithelial

Cells

Cilia of Tracheal Epithelial Cells

False Intercellular Bridges

(Desmosomes)