Histology Syllabus

Students should have knowledge of the following for the end of session examinations. Questions may be asked about any of the organ systems listed. Organ systems not listed may not be covered in lectures and will not be directly examined but it is expected that students will have a working knowledge of the histology of other systems and this knowledge may be required in subsequent years. In the histology of the systems the relationship between structure and function should be understood not simply the microanatomical appearance.

Tissue preparation, staining and Microscopy.

1. Outline of preparative methods(wax embedding, frozen sections ,exfoliative cytology), investigative techniques(simple staining, histochemical techniques (Perls,PAS, Succinic dehydrogenase), Autoradiography, immunofluorescence) and effects of processing on tissues(artefacts). Outlines of EM preparation

2. Outline of the.principles of the light microscope and its main parts(substage condenser and iris diaphragm, objective lens (including the importance of N.A.),eyepiece), limitations of glass lenses (aberrations,chromatic, lateral chromatic, astigmatism, coma, curvature of field, distortion and spherical aberration). Limitations of light microscopy, resolution, empty magnification. Specialised forms of light microscopyincluding phase contrast, fluorescent, darkground & polarising microscopy. Outline of the principles of transmission and scanning EM.

Structural histology

3. Epithelia: Knowledge of their structure and function. Sites where they occur a. Simple covering epithelia: (simple squamous, cuboidal, columnar, pseudostratified columnar. Modifications including microvilli and cilia. Compound covering epithelia (stratified squamous, transitional)

b. Glandular epithelium types of secretion (apocrine, merocrine & holocrine, exocrine & endocrine) and different gland structures(simple, compound ducted, acinar, alveolar and tubular).

4. Muscle tissues: Structural and functional differences between smooth, cardiac and voluntary muscle( to include red & white) structure

5. Connective tissues Simple connective (areolar tissue) including the fibres (collagen, elastic and reticulin) amorphous intercellular materials (GAGs,: hyaluronic acid, chondroitin sulphate etc) Cellular elements fibroblasts, fibrocytes, mast cells, macrophages and adipose cells Bone and cartilage Lymphoid tissues including lymph nodes, spleen, lymphoid follicles of wet mucous membranes and thymus gland.

6. Nervous tissue: structure of neurones (cell body, axons, dendrites, Nissl granules, synapses), glial cells (astrocytes, oligodendroglia, microglia, Schwann cells). Peripheral myelinated nerves and ganglia.

7. Alimentary canal. Overall structure (mucosa, submucosa, muscle and adventitial layers) Special features of the oesophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon, appendix and rectum (eg epithelial cell types, presence of glands and type of glands, lymphoid follicles, variations in muscle structure) Liver and gall bladder.Pancreas

8. Respiratory system The structure and function of the conducting tissues (nasal cavity, nasopharynx, trachea, bronchi and bronchioles) and respiratory tissues (alveolar ducts, alveolar sacs and alveoli).Cells including pneumocytes type1 & 2, Clara cells, goblet cells.

9. Excretory system Kidney structure(nephron structure including glomerulus(fenestrated capillary loops, mesangial cells, podocytes), epithelial lining of the proximal and distal convoluted tubule, Loop of Henle and collecting ducts), ureter, bladder and urethra structure.

10. Circulatory system Heart structure General structure of major types of vessel(tunica intima, tunica media & tunica adventitia), arteries(elastic, muscular and arterioles) veins and capillaries

11. Male reproductive system Testes(tunica albuginea, seminiferous tubules,tubuli recti,epididymus, spermatic cord dartos and cremaster muscles) and sperm formation(spermatogonia, primary and secondary spermatocytes, sertoli cells). Leydig cells. Tube systems(vas deferens, ejaculatory duct) and associated glands(seminal vesicles and prostate gland)

12. Female Reproductive system Ovary and the ovarian cycle.Primary, developing & Graafian follicles, corpus luteum,corpus albicans and atresic follicles. Uterus(major layers:adventitia, myometrium and endometrium), cervix and Fallopian tubes including the changes occuring in the menstrual cycle. Vaginal structure and changes during the menstrual cycle.

At first sight the information required by this unit may seem large but it does overlap with other subjects such as physiology where histological structure is also considered and it is well within the capabilities of every student. In the first year of this course most students passed without needing referrals.