Are you a complete novice when it comes to histology, but yet interested in learning it more? Whether you’re a medical student, an archeologist, or working in forensic investigation, understanding this field is extremely significant if you want to be able to do your job right. Naturally, as with any other discipline, it takes time to master it, and it, of course, takes a lot of effort.
Coming across this biological field for the very first time could have you all confused, not being able to grasp what it precisely is, why it is so important, or how to study it at all. All some important questions, aren’t they? And, when you find a great guide to histology, you’ll have those questions, and much more, answered in details, thus helping you get a clearer understanding of this biology branch.
Those basic questions you have will also be answered below. Don’t expect to become highly knowledgeable on histology once you’re done reading this, though. What you should expect instead is to understand what it is, as well as why it is so significant, and to get a clearer idea on how to study it the right way, aiming at boosting your knowledge and ultimately becoming a pro, if that’s what you’re after.
What Exactly Is Histology?
So, what exactly is histology? A question it all begins with, because you can’t exactly dive any deeper into studying this branch if you don’t even understand what it is. A part of cytology, an essential tool of medicine and biology, histology is basically the study of the microscopic analysis of cells and tissues, and especially tissues, of plants, animals and human beings. It is done by looking at the previously prepared tissue under an electron microscope or a light microscope.
As mentioned, the tissue has to be previously prepared, and the preparation involves fixing, embedding, sectioning and staining processes. Using chemical fixtures, most commonly formalin, you’ll preserve the tissue from decay.
After that, you’ll have to embed the block of tissue in the paraffin wax, which preserves it as a block. Sectioning involves cutting it into a series of thin slices, after which you use stains, or dyes, to make the tissue easier to see under the microscope.
Here’s the field further explained: https://www.lmglifesciencesawards.com/histology-explained/
Why Is It So Important?
Now, what is it that makes histology so important at all? Used in various branches of medicine and research, it makes a lot of processes not only easier, but pretty much possible during research and examinations.
It helps pathologists know where to cut cancerous tissue removed from a patient, it gives epidemiologists info on how to treat certain tissue diseases, and it basically aids in understanding the way various systems in our bodies are structured and connected to one another.
Essential in the field of science, including applied sciences, medicine and similar, histology definitely has a wide range of applications. A huge amount of different researching processes wouldn’t be possible without the help of this biology branch.
With its help, biologists, medical students, as well as veterinary students can easily recognize the many tissue types, as well as figure out what happens to the tissue at the cellular level.
Furthermore, it is also important for archeologists as it helps them study the biological material, such as teeth and bones, that has been retrieved from archeological sites. It’s also used in diagnosing diseases in living organisms and identifying and analyzing the actual treatment effects. And, of course, it is also important during autopsies, helping forensic investigators determine the cause of death. Go here to get an even better understanding of histology.
How to Study It?
Wondering how to study it? Well, first off, you have to understand that it needs to be studied in a larger context, meaning you should be studying the human body as a whole so as to understand histology. Providing only one perspective, histology gives best insights when combined with other perspectives, from anatomy, biochemistry, physiology and similar branches.
So, learning it in combination with those other branches is a must. And, apart from studying it during your classes and through books, you can also find a lot of useful online sources ready to illuminate histology for you and make it easier to understand.