Histologic

Histologic is a term that refers to the microscopic structure of tissues. It is derived from the Greek words 'histos' meaning tissue and 'logos' meaning study. Histologic examination is a crucial part of diagnosing diseases, particularly cancers, as it can provide detailed information about the type and grade of the tumor.

Overview

Histologic studies involve the examination of cells and tissues under a microscope. This is done after the tissue has been processed and a thin slice has been placed on a slide. The slide is then stained to highlight the different components of the tissue. The most common stain used is the H&E stain, which stains nuclei blue and the cytoplasm and extracellular matrix pink.

Histologic Techniques

There are several techniques used in histologic studies, including:

• Immunohistochemistry: This technique uses antibodies to detect specific proteins in the tissue. It can be used to identify the type of cells present and to detect abnormal proteins that may indicate disease.
• In situ hybridization: This technique uses probes to detect specific DNA or RNA sequences in the tissue. It can be used to identify the type of cells present and to detect abnormal genes or gene expression.
• Electron microscopy: This technique uses a beam of electrons instead of light to visualize the tissue. It can provide much higher resolution than light microscopy, allowing for the visualization of subcellular structures.

Histologic Grading

Histologic grading is a system used to classify tumors based on their microscopic appearance. The grade of a tumor can provide information about its likely behavior, including how quickly it is likely to grow and spread. There are several different grading systems used, depending on the type of tumor.

See Also

• Pathology
• Cytology
• Histopathology

References

Histologic Resources
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