Introduction to Histology

BY
Dr.P.Priya

Cell
Histology is the study of cells, tissues , and
organs
Human body is made up of smallest units called
cells
Tissue is defined as the group of cells having
similar function
An organ is defined as the structure that is formed
by 2 or more primary types of tissues, which
execute the functions of the organ
Each cell is formed by a cell body and a membrane
covering the cell body called the cell membrane

 CELL MEMBRANE
The cell membrane is a protective
sheath,enveloping the cell body
The cell membrane is called a 3 layered
membrane.central
layer
is
a
lipid
layer,outer 2 layers are protein layers
The cell membrane is composed of 3 types
of
substances:1.Proteins
55%2.lipids
40%3.Carbohydrates5%
The membrane is a fluid with mosaic of
proteins that can readily reform when its
continuity is disturbed

Cell Membrane
This membrane separates the fluid outside the
cell called extracellular fluid and the fluids
inside the cell called intracellular fluid
The lipid layer of cell membrane forms a
semipermeable membrane
There is free exchange of substances between
the ECF and ICF
Carbohydrate
molecules
are
negatively
charged and do not permit the negatively
charged substances to move in and out of the
cell

Cytoplasam
The cytoplasam of the cell is the jelly like
material formed by 80 percent of water
It contains clear liquid portion and various
particles are proteins ,carbohydrates,lipids
or electrolytes in nature
The cytoplasam also contains many
organelles with distinct structure and
function
The cytoplasmic organelles are the cellular
structures embedded in the cytoplasam

CELL JUNCTION
The cell junction is the connection between the
neighbouring cells or the contact between the
cell and extracellular matrix
There are 3 main classes of cell junctions
1.Occluding junctions which prevent intercellular
exchange of substances
2.Communicating junctions which permit the
intercellular exchange of substances
3.Anchoring junctions which provide strength to
the cells by acting like mechanical attachment

Occluding Junctions
Tight Junction
Tight junction is the intercellular occluding junction
that prvents the passage of large molecules.It is
also called Zonula occludens.The proteins
involved in the formation of tight junctions are
classified into 2 types.Integral membrane
proteins,peripheral membrane proteins
Functions
1.Strength and stability to the tissues
2.Blood brain barrier:Tight junction in the brain
capillaries forms the blood brain barrier

Communicating Junctions
GAP JUNCTION
The membranes of the 2 adjacent cells lie very
close to each other and the intercellular space is
rduced from the usual size of 2.5 to 3 nm
The cytoplasam of the 2 cells is connected by the
channels formed by the membranes of both
cells.The channel is surrounded by 6 subunits of
proteins which are called connexons
Functions
The diameter of the channel in the gap junction is
about 1 to 3 nm .So,the channel permits the
passage of glucose,aminoacids,ions and other
substances

ANCHORING JUNCTIONS
Involves cell adhesion molecule
The firm attachment between 2 cells or between a
cell and extracellular matrix is provided either by
actin filaments or intermediate filaments
Anchoring junction is classified into 4 types
1.Actin filament attachment
(a)Adherens junction
(b) Focal adhesion
2.Intermediate filament attachment
(a)Desmosome
(b)Hemidesmosome

(a)Zonula adherens

Continuous large area of attachment at apical part of

epithelial cells.Gap between the cell surfaces is about
20nm .In adherens junction ,th membranes of the adjacent
cells are held together by transmembrane proteins.The
adherence junction present in the epidermis helps the skin
to withstand the mechanical stress
(b)Focal adhesion
Focal adhesion is the cell to matrix junction ,which
connects the actin filament of the cell to the extracellular
matrix
(c) Macula adherens(Desmosomes)
Strong anchorage between cells
It is a cell to cell junction ,where the intermediate filaments
connect the adjacent cells
They are plaque like strong contact which may be located
anywhere on cell surface.Intercellular gap 25nm.filled with
electron dense filamentous material

(d)Hemidesmosomes
Single sided desmosome which occur
between basal layer of cells and basement
membrane common at the dermisepidermis Junction
Dysfunction of adherens junction and focal
junction in colon results in colon cancer
Dysfunction of desmosome causes bulbous
pemphigoid(autoimmune
disease
with
tense blistering eruptions of the skin
Dysfunction of hemidesmosome also causes
bulbous pemphigoid

Cytoskeleton
The cytoskeleton is a complex network of
structures
present
throughout
the
cytoplasam.
The microtubules are formed by bundles of
globular protein called tubulin
The intermediate filaments are made up of
fibrous proteins.
Microfilaments are made up of non tubular
contractile proteins called actin and myosin

Cell organelles
Cytoplasam of typical cell contains various
organelles which are visualized by the
electron microscope
Endoplasmic Reticulum
A system of membranes that form
boundaries of flattened cisternae or
tubules
constituting
endoplasmic
reticulum.They form irregular network of
brannching and anastomosing lamellar
systems of parallel flat cavities

Rough endoplasmic reticulum-Endoplasmic

reticulum are studded with ribosomes and
are sites of protein synthesis
Smooth
endoplasmic
reticulum-The
membrane bound cisternae devoid of
ribosomes.Here further processing of
proteins,lipids and also in those which
secrete steroids
Ribosomes
Present in relation to the cytoplasmic
surface of rough endoplasmic reticulum
RNA-component of ribosomes.Ribosomes
play an important role in protein synthesis

 Golgi apparatus
Stacks of flattened membrane bound
sacks
Closely associate with vesicle
Appear as a clear space surrounded partly
by the well stained ER .To convert the
inactive proteins to active forms
Formation of condensing vacuoles that
contain secretory product of the cell

 Lysosomes
These dense bodies contain acid hydrolase
destroy unwanted material
40
different
lysosomal
enzymes
are
identified
Mitochondria
They are present in all cells except RBCS
and terminal keratinocytes
Mitochondrion comprises 2 membranes
separated by intermembranous space
Inner to inner membrane there is a granular
matrix
containing
numerous
enzymes,RNA,DNA.Site of ATP production

 Centrioles
Centrioles embedded in a specialized zone
of cytoplasam called centrosome
Each centriole consist of circularly arranged
nine groups of microtubules
Play an important role in cell division
Inclusion bodies
The various membrane bound vesicles
that serve to store materials are also
included as cell organelles

 Nucleus
The nucleus takes up basophilic stain
Nuclei shows dark staining bodies called
nucleoli
Bulk of nucleus formed by the chromatin
Chromatin forms irregular dark masses
called heterochromatin
Loose network of chromatin staining lightly
is referred to as the euchromatin
Chromosomes are the rod like condensation
of chromatin formed during the prophase
of mitosis

 Nucleoli
Reddish tinge &rounded bodies
High content of RNA
Secondary
constrictions
of
certain
chromosomes
Ribosomal RNA synthesised in the nucleoli

Cell surface Projections

Cilia
The minute hair like projections from free
surface of the cell
Cilium formed by extension of cell
membrane with a core of microtubules
arranged in a specific manner.These motile
cilia move
and cause movement of
secretions or other substances lying on the
surface in a particular direction.
Trachea,bronchi move the secretions
towards pharynx.
Uterine tube-movement of ova.

 Flagella
Similar to cilia,larger exhibit movement
different than cilia
Movement start at the base and then the
next nearest segment bends in opposite
direction to create a wave like motion that
moves down flagellum.
Ex:tail of spermatozoon

Microvilli
Finger
like
projections
from
cell
surface.Core
of
cytoplasam
contains
numerous microfilaments.
Microvilli help in absorption.
Microvilli arranged parallel to one another
give a straited appearance to small intestine.
Irregularly
arranged
microvilli-brush
border in gall bladder.
Modified microvilli in epididymis,Internal
ear