INTRODUCTION TO HISTOLOGY

and
TISSUE PROCESSING
WHAT IS
HISTOLOGY?

Is the study of tissues, their functions and

arrangement to constitute an organ.

Branch of Anatomy = also known as

Microscopic anatomy
What is a Tissue?
A tissue is a group of cells WITH INTERRELATED FUNCTION , not just
GROUP OF CELLS.

Cells in the tissue does not need to be the same type, or same
morphology.
NERVOUS
TISSUE EXAMPLE

Take note that the

cells are not of the
same type, nor the
same morphology and
function. But since
they are a group of
cell with interrelated
function, they can be
called a tissue.
 Why study
cells in a Since tissues are
subject that is made up of cells,
supposed to you can never
study understand the
Tissues? characteristics of a
tissue without
understanding the
characteristics of
its individual cell.
4 Basic types of If you combine these four basic types of tissue, you can
form an organ.
Tissue
HCl
 Epithelial
tissues are
AVASCULAR.
If the epithelial
tissue in
stomach is
avascular, how
can it get its
oxygen and
blood supply?
Answer:
The connective tissue
below is highly
vascularized, to which it
shares blood supply and
oxygen to the tightly
packed epithelial tissue.
Remember that
EPITHELIAL
TISSUE and
CONNECTIVE
TISSUE are
lovers.
Remember that
EPITHELIAL
TISSUE and
CONNECTIVE
TISSUE are
lovers.
Connective tissues
are responsible for
connecting the
epithelial tissues to
the muscle tissue,
hence the name
CONNECTIVE tissue.
 Take note:
Tissues are not
always tightly
packed with cells
but rather is also
composed of Fibers
and Ground
substances.

Fibers and Ground

substances are
referred to as
EXTRACELLULAR
MATRIX
IF ONLY
HISTOLOGY
SPECIMEN
LOOKS LIKE
THIS, IT
WOULD BE
MUCH EASIER
TO IDENTIFY
THE CELLS,
THE FIBERS,
AND THE
GROUND
SUBTANCE.
TI O N
E C TA
EX P
REALITY
HOW CAN A
TISSUE
TURN FROM
THIS?
TO THIS?
In the Lab, we view specimens under a microscope.
 The tissue specimen undergoes various
In order to make a histology slide:
steps of tissue processing.
STEPS IN TISSUE PROCESSING:
 WHY IS FIXATION
IMPORTANT?
UNFIXED
FIXED After the specimen
is surgically
removed from the
body, it should be
preserved of fixed
with a FIXATIVE to
prevent the decay of
the tissue.
 IMAGINE CUTTING A
TISSUE THAT IS AS SOFT
AS A GELATIN, IT’LL BE A
TOUGH JOB.
Decalcification is NOT only limited to
bones and teeth.
WHY IT SHOULD BE ASCENDING GRADES OF ALCOHOL?
TO PRESERVE THE MORPHOLOGY AND APPERANCE OF THE ORGAN.
INFILTRATION
and
PLASTIC Since paraffin wax requires the use of oven, some
Medical Technologist are reported to experience burns
RESINS from the melted paraffin.

Plastic resins may be used but is TOO EXPENSIVE.

TRADITIONAL
PARAFFIN
WAX AFTER
EMBEDDING
STANDARD ROUTINE TISSUE PROCESSING
• FIXATION
• DECALCIFICATION – IF CALCIFIED SPX
• DEHYDRATION
• CLEARING
• INFILTRATION
• EMBEDDING
• SECTIONING
• STAINING
• MOUNTING
TURN AROUND TIME IS 5 DAYS.
What if there’s a faster way to do biopsy?

There is a faster but more expensive

way to do biopsy however it is by
case to case basis and that
is…FROZEN SECTION BIOPSY.
NOT THIS ONE
END OF LECTURE!