“HISTOLOGY - HOW TO TAKE IT”

(Information for students about the course)

Histology (Cell Biology, General Histology and Microscopic Anatomy of organs)

and Embryology (Blastogenesis and Organogenesis) is taught in two semesters. As a
morphology-based subject, it requires the volume of theoretical knowledge to be
supported with images (schematic drawings, light microscopy photographs and
electron microscopy images). These images are available in three resources:

1 - Recommended textbook and atlas (with attached CD-ROMs).

2 - Slides imagery presented during lectures as PowerPoint presentations.
3 - Visual resources available to students during practicals (set of glass and
virtual histology slides), PowerPoint and video presentations in pre-lab
sessions, and notes, drawings and pictures taken by students during their
practical classes.

Histology lays down the basis for understanding and identification of structures and
functions of cells, tissues and organs which is an absolute prerequisite for successful
study of Pathology course.
Histology is taught in two kinds of sessions:

A. LECTURES
- Are important to attend as they outline the necessary contents of this course and
supplement the recommended textbook with explanation of important structures and
their functions.
- They are given by experienced academic staff members who guide the students
through the subject and, on selected images and schematics, they point out features
important for correct identification of structures under the microscope.
- They include a brief reference to applications of the given knowledge in the clinical
practice.
- During lectures the students have an opportunity to ask questions about difficult or
not fully understood parts of the subject.
- Any handouts or other printed materials given to students are for guidance only and
in no way they substitute the contents of the recommended textbooks. When
supplemented with student’s notes from lectures and practicals, the handouts can be a
valuable resource for quick final revision of chapters.

B. PRACTICALS
- These are compulsory to be attended by all students as they guide them through
practical application of their knowledge in identification of cells, tissues and organs.
- Students are expected to have some theoretical knowledge from lectures on the
subject of the session, and are encouraged to use the recommended Histology Atlas as
well as a brief description of microscopic slides given to them by the teaching staff
(Slide Guide).
- Introductory pre-lab session is given by the teaching staff to help students with
their orientation in microscopy slides. This brief summary of microscopic features is
not to repeat theoretical data given in lectures.
- In order to start the practical session in a due time, the students are required to be
present at the Histology microscopy room at least five minutes before the scheduled
time. No food and drinks are allowed on the premises.
- Students should bring with them a notebook of plain paper, writing and drawing
tools as well as the recommended Histology Atlas or textbook.
- For good understanding of studied structures, students are encouraged to make
simple schematic hand drawings with labels in their notebooks and to take screen
prints of virtual slides into their own PowerPoint presentations.
- Teaching staff is available during the practical classes to help students with their
orientation in slides covering the topic of the week. A few microscopic slides, that are
not available in the box set, may be shown as demonstration slides (glass or virtual)
during the practical session.
- Students are expected to be well oriented and careful when using the laboratory
microscopes and to exert outmost care when handling fragile glass microscopic slides,
as they are expensive and difficult to replace.
- Personal computers are also to be used with care; LCD monitors are not to be
touched with fingers or any sharp objets. No external files can be saved on HDD by
students. Presentations created in practical sessions can be saved on external media
only.
- Several In-course Quizes and MCQ tests are included in practical sessions to keep
track on student’s performance during this course.

Recommended textbooks:

1. BASIC HISTOLOGY by Junqueira L.C., Carneiro J., 10th edition, Lange Medical Books
Mc Graw Hill, New York, 2003
2. COLOR ATLAS OF HISTOLOGY with CD-ROM by Gartner L.P., Hiatt J.L.,
3rd edition, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia, 2000

3. LANGMAN’S MEDICAL EMBRYOLOGY by Sadler T.W., 8th ed., Lippincott

Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia, 2000

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Any inquiries or matters related to Histology course may be reported to the Histology Course
Coordinator: Doc. MUDr. Dimitrolos Krajci, CSc, (Dept. of Histology and Embryology) or to any
teaching staff at practicals.

Histology (English language) teaching team:

Doc. MUDr. Dimitrolos Krajčí, CSc. (Room 2.011) or dimikra@gmail.com
Odb. Assistant MUDr. Pospíšílová Eva, CSc. (Room 2.013) or pospe@tunw.upol.cz
Odb. Assistant MUDr. Běla Erdosová, PhD. (Room 2.012) or erdos@tunw.upol.cz

IntroHISTOaEMBRinfo1.doc Written by Dr. Krajci D. 2/2009