Histology slides

For the 2022 batch

-All slides EXCEPT salivary glands, lung, large intestine, appendix are incorporated in this PPT.
-All slides were pictures clicked from our lab.
-The orientation of some slides may not be right (for example, Lymph node in this presentation). If you happen to have better pictures for the slide, please
send the slide to me (Nandana Sreekumar) and I will include in the ppt.
-All written content have been taken from our lab manual, Mamata ma’am’s PDFs and flashcards kept in the lab during revision sessions.
-If any mistakes are present in this presentation (God forbid), please message me in WhatsApp.
General histology
Hyaline cartilage
• Homogeneous (glassy = hyaline) matrix
• With type II collagen (territorial & inter-
territorial)
• Cell nests with up to 8 chondrocytes
Presence of perichondrium; Calcifies with
age
• Firm and withstands compression
• Trachea Costal cartilage

Acidophils:
Elastic cartilage
• Irregular fibrous matrix rich in elastic
fibres
• Cell nests with 2-4 chondrocytes
• Presence of perichondrium Pliant and
resilient
• Epiglottis Pinna
White Fibrocartilage
Regular fibrous matrix rich in type I and II
collagen
Chondrocytes in rows or single
NO perichondrium
Withstands compression and tension
Intervertebral disc Pubic symphysis
Bone-Transverse
Section
Haversian systems with: Central circular
Haversian canal
Surrounded by concentric lamellae
containing collagen and hydroxyapatite
crystals
Osteocytes in lacunae connected by
canaliculi
Bone surrounded by periosteum
Haversian canals connected by Volkmann’s
canal
Bone-Longitudinal
Section
Cardiac muscle
Cylindrical branching & anastomosing muscle
fibres
Faint striations
Central single oval nucleus
Intercalated discs (functional syncytium)
Optic
Nerve
1. Myelinated axons grouped as bundles of
fascicles
2. In the center of the nerve, central artery
and vein of retina are seen
3. Three layers of meningeal covering
present
4. Second cranial nerve, sensory nerve
5. Developmentally, its an outgrowth from
brain
6. Axons are myelinated by
oligodendrocytes
7. Meningeal covering similar to brain
Sympathetic
Ganglion
1. Small multipolar neurons with eccentric
nucleus surrounded by satellite cells
2. Scattered between nerve fibers
3. Thin connective tissue capsule
4. Located in the sympathetic trunk
5. Belong to ANS, contains cell bodies of
post-ganglionic sympathetic neurons
Another pic of the
previous slide in
lighter colour
Dorsal Root
Ganglion
1. Large pseudounipolar neurons with
central nucleus surrounded by satellite
cells arranged in groups between
bundles of nerve fibers
2. Thick connective tissue capsule present
3. Also called sensory ganglion
4. Contains first order sensory neurons
5. Present in dorsal root of spinal nerve
6. Satellite cells help in nourishment and
insulation
Aorta
Three layers: Tunica intima: simple squamous
endothelium and sub-endothelial CT
Tunica media: thickest layer with elastic
lamellae
Tunica adventitia: CT, vasa vasorum& nervi
vasorum
Medium-
sized artery
1. Three layers of blood vessel- Tunica
intima, T. media, T. adventitia
2. Tunica media is thickest with smooth
muscle fibre. Internal elastic lamina
prominent.
3. Tunica intima is th einnermost layer.
Endothelium- flat, squamous cells lines
the lumen. Subendothelial connective
tissue. Internal elastic lamina made up of
elastic fibers.
Large vein
1. Three layers of blood vessel- Tunica intima, T.
media, T. adventitia
2. Tunica externa is thickest with smooth muscle
fibre arranged in longitudinal bundles
3. Tunica intima- Innermost layer contains
endothelium- flat, squamous cells, lines the
lumen.
4. Sub endothelial connective tissue and internal
elastic lamina not well-defined
5. Tunica media contain large amount of collagen
fibre- few smooth muscle fibers, elastic fibers
present
6. Tunica adventitia is the outermost layer and
thickest layer. Connective tissue with collagen
fibre contain longitudinally running smooth
muscle fibers.
7. Example: Inferior Vena Cava, Superior Vena
Cava
Lymph
Node
1. Fibrous capsule and subscapular space
seen
2. Outer cortex, inner medulla
differentiated- Cortex contain lymphoid
follicle with germinal center, medulla
contain medullary cords and sinuses
3. Paracortex- Junction between cortex and
medulla contain T-lymphocyte
4. Function of lymph node- filtration of
lymph, proliferation of lymphocyte and
forms a part of immune system.

(DISCLAIMER: The orientation is not ideal, so

please look for better slides if available)
Spleen
1. Red pulp and white pulp differentiated
2. White pulp- lymphoid aggregation with eccentric
central artery
3. Red pulp contains splenic cords surrounded by
sinusoids
4. It has thick capsule, sends septa into substance of
spleen
5. It’s the largest hemolymphoid organ
6. Function- removes old RBC, production of
lymphocytes, removes blood-borne antigens
7. In fetal life, acts as a site of erythrocytic production
8. Splenic circulation- central artery form white pulp
enters red pulp and divides into straight vessels called
as penicillin. It is then surrounded by sheath of
macrophages and is called as ellipsoid which has a
narrow lumen. Further it dilates to form ampulla and
blood enters sinusoid of red pulp by two ways.
-In closed circulation theory, blood directly enters into
sinusoid from ampulla. In open circulation theory, blood
passes out of capillaries between cords and then enters
sinusoid.
Tonsil
1. Surface lined by stratified squamous
non-keratinized epithelium
2. Shows depressions called tonsillar crypts
3. Lymphoid follicles with germinal centers
seen along the crypt
4. It is situated in tonsillar fossa on lateral
all of oropharynx
5. One of the consittuents of Waldeyer’s
ring
6. Belongs to MALT
Thymus
1. Lobules separated by incomplete fibrous
septa
2. Each lobule contains peripheral cortex of
densely packed small lymphocytes and
central medulla with sparsely arranged
lymphocytes and Hassall’s corpuscles
3. Each lobule contains outer cortex and
central medulla
4. Cortex made of densely packed small
lymphocytes
5. Also contain macrophages for
phagocytosis of degenerating
lymphocytes and epitheliocytes which
provide supporting measure
Thick Skin
Epidermis with stratified squamous
keratinized ep.
Thick stratum corneum
Presence of stratum lucidum
Dermis with CT, blood vessels and nerves
No hair follicles
No sebaceous glands
Sweat glands present
Palm Sole
Thin Skin (with Hair)
Epidermis with stratified squamous
keratinized ep.
Thin stratum corneum
No stratum lucidum
Dermis with CT, blood vessels and nerves
Presence of hair follicles, sebaceous glands
and sweat glands
Thin Skin (without
hair)
Systemic
Histology
Trachea
Pseudo-stratified ciliated
columnar epithelium
Interspersed with goblet cells

C-shaped hyaline cartilage with

perichondrium, cell nests and
homogeneous matrix

Trachealis muscle

Serous and mucous acini in

submucosa
Tongue-
Filiform
Bronchi lined by pseudo-stratified to simple
columnar ciliated epithelium and hyaline
cartilage plates in its wall
Bronchioles lined by simple ciliated columnar
to cuboidal epithelium and smooth muscles
in the wall and no cartilage

lveolar sacs and alveoli lined by simple

squamous epithelium containing type I and
type II (surfactant) pneumocytes
Oesophagus
Basic organisation: 4 layers from inside outwards:
mucosa, submucosa, muscularis externa and
adventitia/serosa
Mucosa:
Lining epithelium: Stratified squamous non-
keratinised ep.
Lamina propria: CT with solitary lymphatic follicles
Muscularis mucosa: thick layer of smooth muscle
Submucosa: CT, blood vessels, Meisner’s plexus &
oesophageal glands
Muscularis externa: Inner circular & outer
longitudinal layers with Auerbach’s plexus in
between; upper 1/3rd: skeletal muscle, lower
1/3rd: smooth muscle; middle 1/3rd: Skeletal &
smooth.
Adventitia in cervical & thoracic parts; serosa in
abdominal part with subserosal CT containing
blood vessels, nerves, etc.
Stomach- Fundus and
Body
Basic organisation: 4 layers from inside outwards: mucosa,
submucosa, muscularis externa and serosa
Mucosa: Lining epithelium and gastric pits lined by tall
columnar surface mucus cells with apical mucinogen
vesicles and basal nucleus.
Fundic glads: (branched tubular type) open into gastric pits
and lined by 5 types of cells: mucous neck cells, parietal
cells (secrete HCl), chief cells (gastric enzymes),
enteroendocrine cells (gastrin, etc.) and stem cells.
Gastric pit to gland ratio: 1:2 to 1:3 (shorter pits, deeper
glands)
Lamina propria: Scant and made up of CT.
Muscularis mucosa: Thin layer of smooth muscle
Submucosa: CT with blood vessels & Meisner’s plexus
Muscularis externa: 3 layered: Smooth muscle arranged as
inner oblique, middle circular & outer longitudinal layers
with Auerbach’s plexus
Serosa: Mesothelium & subserosal CT, blood & lymph
vessels, nerves, etc.
 Stomach- Pylorus
Basic organisation: 4 layers from inside outwards: mucosa,
submucosa, muscularis externa and serosa
Mucosa: Lining epithelium and gastric pits lined by tall
columnar surface mucus cells with apical mucinogen
vesicles and basal nucleus.

Pyloric glads (branched tubular type) open into gastric pits

and lined by mucous neck cells, enteroendocrine cells
(gastrin, etc.) and stem cells.

Gastric pit to gland ratio: 2:1 to 3:1 (deeper pits, shorter

glands) Lamina propria: Scant and made up of CT.

Muscularis mucosa: Thin layer of smooth muscle

Submucosa: CT with blood vessels & Meisner’s plexus

Muscularis externa: 3 layers: Smooth muscle arranged as

inner oblique, middle circular & outer longitudinal layers
with Auerbach’s plexus

Serosa: Mesothelium & subserosal CT, blood & lymph

vessels, nerves, etc.
Duodenum
Basic organisation: 4 layers from inside outwards: mucosa,
submucosa, muscularis externa and serosa
Characteristic features: Plicae circulares or valves of Kerkring
(submucosal folds); broad ridge shaped villi (mucosal folds)
& Brunner’s glands in submucosa
Mucosa: Lining epithelium: Tall columnar enterocytes with
apical microvilli and basal nucleus & goblet cells
Intestinal glads or crypts of Lieberkuhn (simple straight
tubular type) lined by Paneth cells, enteroendocrine cells
(CCK, GIP, motion, secretin etc.) and stem cells.
Lamina propria: Scant and made up of CT with lacteals.
Muscularis mucosa: Thin layer of smooth muscle
Submucosa: Mucus secreting Brunner’s glands (compound
tubular type) in addition to CT with blood vessels &
Meisner’s plexus
Muscularis externa: Smooth muscle arranged as inner
circular & outer longitudinal layers with Auerbach’s plexus in
between
Serosa: Mesothelium, sub-serosal CT, blood & lymph
vessels, nerves, etc.
Jejunum
Can anyone confirm what this is?
Ileum
Ileum
Liver
Gall
bladder
Gall
Bladder
Pancreas
-Pancreas is an exo-endocrine gland
-It has thin capsule, septa from capsule divides
gland into lobules
-Islets of Langerhans seen. Forms endocrine
part of gland. Highly vascular. Consists of
polyhedral cells- Alpha(20%; located
peripherally; secrete glucagon), beta(70%;
located in the center; secrete insulin),
Delta(secrete somatostatin).
-Pancreatic acini are compactly arranged.
Biphasic stain more pronounced, apical portion
of cell cytoplasm is eosinophilic (zymogen
granules) and basal portion is basophilic.
Centroacinar cells are the beginning of
intercalated ducts which are seen at the center
of the acini.
Kidney
1. Outer cortex, inner medulla seen
2. Cortex contain renal corpuscles-
Bowman’s capsule with glomerular
plexus. They function is filtration of
plasma
3. Section of PCT- eosinophilic columnar
cells with brush border narrow lumen
4. Sections of DCT- pale staining cuboidal
cells, large lumen
5. Medulla contain sections of collecting
duct and loops of Henle, lined by
cuboidal cells and squamous cells
6. Functional unit of kidney is nephron. It
consists of renal corpuscles, PCT, DCT
and loop of henle
Ureter
Urinary
bladder
1. Mucosa lined by transitional epithelium
resting over thick layer of loose
connective tissue- empty bladder
mucosa is thrown into folds. Distended
bladder folds disappear and epithelium
becomes thin due to stretching
2. Thick muscle layer- inner longitudinal
middle circular and outer longitudinal
smooth muscle- Detrusor muscle
3. Outer serosa- lined by flat squamous cell
4. Thick lamina propria
Testis
Epididymis
Vas
Deferens
• Mucous mebrane shows longitudinal
folds. Lumen is small. It is lined by simple
columnar cells. Lamina propria is made
up of loose CT with elastic fibres.
• Thick muscle coat is made up of inner
circular and outer longitudinal muscles
• Outermost layer is adventitia made of CT.
Function is to convey sperm to
ejaculatory ducts
Prostate
Prostatic glands (acini or follicles) lined by
simple columnar epithelium.

Mucosa thrown into folds, lumen contains

corpora amylacea.

Acini separated by thick fibromuscular

stroma
Ovary
1. Surface lined by germinal epithelium, made of cuboidal cells
below which lies the connective tissue covering called tunica
albuginea

2. Section of ovary divides into outer cortex and inner medulla

3. Cortex contains follicles in different stages of development

separated by stroma

4. Primordial follicles-primary oocytes surrounded by flat stromal

cells

5. Primary follicles- primary oocyte surrounded by columnar cells

6. Secondary follicle- primary oocyte surrounded by several layer of

follicular cells with fluid-filled follicular cavity

7. Graafian follicle- follicular cavity increase in size and oocyte

becomes eccentrically located surrounded by cumulus
oophoricus. It is attached to the wall of follicle by discus
proligerus. Surrounding stromal cells from theca interna and
fibres form theca externa.

8. Follicular cells and theca interna secrete estrogen

9. Corpus luteum- after ovulation, the follicular wall becomes

collapsed. Follicular cells enlarge, cytoplasm fill with yellow
pigment called lutein and secrete progesterone

10. Stroma contains fusiform mesenchyme cells, smooth muscles,

and reticular fibers.

11. Reticular fibers contains connective tissue with blood vessels and
smooth muscles
Uterus
-Three layers:
Endometrium-
1. lined by columnar epithelium, stroma is highly
cellular, contains simple tubular glands and
spiral arteries.
2. Endometrium is divided into outer pars
functionalis which is shed during menstrual
phase, and inner pars basalis, which helps in
regeneration of shed endometrium.
3. Depending on phase of menstrual cycle,
endometrium shows cyclical changes:
-proliferative phase: under the influence of estrogen,
endometrium increases in thickness, glands
elongate, spiral arteries reach up to surface and
stroma cells increase in number
-secretory phase: under the influence of
progesterone, endo0metrium further increases in
thickness. Glands are dilated and tortuous, giving a
saw-tooth appearance in sections. Spiral arteries
further coil up on themselves

Myometrium- three ill-defined layers of smooth muscles

Perimetrium- made of connective tissue covering
Fallopian
tube
1. Mucous layer thrown into numerous
branching and anastomosing folds which
almost fill the lumen. Lined by columnar
cells- cells are of two types:
1. Ciliated cells- which help in movement
of ova towards the uterine cavity
2. Non-ciliated cells- secretory or peg cells,
secretions help in nourishment of ova
2. Muscle layer- inner circular and outer
longitudinal layer of smooth muscles
3. Serosa is lined by squamous cells of
peritoneum
Mammary Gland-Inactive
• Tubuloalveolar glands and CT
stroma
• Lobes separated by stroma, each
having lactiferous duct
• Glandular elements min. and
seen as tubules resembling
ducts and lined by cuboidal
epithelium
• Stroma abundant and has
adipose, fibroblasts,
lymphocytes and plasma cell
Mammary
Gland-
Active(Lactation
)
1. Alveoli of various size and shape, filled
with secretion
2. Well-developed ducts
3. CT stroma separating into lobes and
lobules
4. Glandular tissue predominates,
distended alveoli lined by cuboidal cells
and filled with milk secretions
5. Stroma very little
Mammary; Active
Umbilical
cord
Umbilical
cord
1. Cut section shows outer layer of
amniotic membrane made of flattened
squamous cells
2. Mucoid embryonic CT known as
Wharton’s jelly surrounds the blood
vessels
3. It contains two umbilical arteries and
one umbilical vein
4. Two muscular arteries right and left carry
the deoxygenated blood to placenta
5. Only one vein is seen(left vein is left,
right is obliterated) which carries
oxygenated blood from placenta to fetus
6. Length of the cord is 50 cm, with
diameter of 2 cm
Placenta
• Chorionic villi forma a part of placenta and
are involved in exchange of materials
between mother and fetus.
• Have a lining of outer
syncytiotrophoblasts(pale staining cells with
well-defined boundaries) and inner
cytotrophoblasts(dark staining without a cell
boundary).
• In full-term placenta chorionic villi will have
only outer syncytiotrophoblasts lining
• Central core is made of embryonic CT with
fetal capillaries
• Intervillous space contains maternal blood
cells
• Placental barrier- membrane across which
exchange takes place. It consists of
syncytiotrophoblasts, cytotrophoblasts, CT
and endothelium of fetal capillaries
Pituitary
Gland
1. It has two parts- adenohypophysis and
neurohypophysis
2. Adenohypophysis/pars anterior; Made
of clusters of cells separated by
sinusoids. Two types of cells:
1. Chromophobes do not take up stain and
appear pale
2. Chromophils have granules in their
cytoplasm. Depending on the staining
two types:
• Acidophils take up acidic stain;
eosinophilic
• Basophils take up basic stain; basophilic
Pars intermedia has colloid filled vesicles
3. Neurohypophysis/ pars posterior: Made of unmyelinated
nerve fibers whose cell bodies are located in paraventricular
and supraoptic nucleus of hypothalamus.
Terminal parts of axons- Herring bodies contain hormones
produced by hypothalamus
Pituicytes(supporting cells) present in between nerve fibers
Acidophils: Somatotrophs- GH, Mammotrophs- Prolactin. Basophils: Corticotrophs- ACTH, Thyrotrophs- TSH, Gondaotrophs- FSH and LH(F)/Interstitial cell stimulating
hormone(M). Pars intermedia- Melanocytes stimulating hormone. Pars posterior- Stores vasopressin/ADH and oxytocin
Suprarenal
glands
1. Cortex and medulla differentiated
2. Cortex- three layers arranged according to their
arrangement:
1. outer glomerulosa- polyhedral cells arranged in
form of inverted U-shape
2. middle zona fasciculata-polyhedral cells arranged
in straight column separated by sinusoids. Cells
contain lipids which give a spongy appearance to
cells
3. inner zona reticularis- cells arranged in network of
branching and anastomosing cords separated by
capillaries
3. Medulla with polyhedral chromaffin cells in
groups
4. Hormones:
1. Zona Glomerulosa- mineralocorticoids, for water
and electrolyte balance
2. Fasciculata for glucocorticoids called cortisol and
cortisone, for carbohydrate and protein metabolism
3. Zona reticularis- sex hormones estrogen and
androgens
4. Medulla- catecholamines and noradrenaline
Thyroid and
parathyroid
1. Fi brous capsule surrounds the gland, sends septa dividing the gland into
l obules s eparated by connective tissue containing numerous capillaries.

2. Fol licles are filled with eosinophilic homogenous material called colloids

3. Fol licles lined by follicular cells resting on a basement membrane. When

i na ctive- flat, squamous cells with abundant colloid. When highly a ctive-
col umnar cells with scanty colloid

4. Pa ra follicular cells/ C cells are l ocated between follicular cells and

ba s ement membranes or between the follicles- pale-staining with
eccentric nuclei.

5. Hormones produced:
1. Follicular cells secrete T3 and T4 (T3 more active than T4)
2. Parafollicular cells secrete thyrocalcitonin which regulate calcium
metabolism by lowering the blood calcium level

6. Pa ra thyroid gland- Connective tissue sends s epta which divi des the glands
i nto l obules. Ea ch lobule contains cords or cl usters of cells s eparated by
numerous sinusoids. Two types of cells:
1. Chief cells/ Principal cells-More numerous, round, with clear cytoplasm
2. Oxyphil cells- Few in number, large cells with eosinophilic cytoplasm

7. Hormones produced:
1. Chief cells produce parathormone, which increase blood Calcium levels.
2. Oxyphil’s function not known
Retina
-Ten l ayers:
1. Pi gment cell layer- outermost cuboidal cells with melanin pigment, helps
i n a bsorption of l ight, prevents reflection
2. Rods and cones- contains outer segments of photoreceptors
3. Externa l limiting membrane- formed by process of Muller’s cells
4. Outer nucl ear l ayer- contains cell bodies of rods and cones, rods
a s sociated with dim, black and white vi sion. Cones with bright and colour
vi s i on
5. Outer pl exiform layer- Synapses between rods and cones, with
peri pheral processes of bipolar cells
6. Inner nuclear layer- cell bodies of bipolar cells, amacrine cells and
hori zontal cells
7. Inner plexiform ;l ayer- synapses between central processes of bipolar
wi th peripheral processes of ganglion cells
8. Ga nglion cell layer- large cell bodies of ganglion cell
9. Nerve fi ber layer- a xons of ganglion cells which continue as optic nerve
10. Inner limiting membrane- formed by processes of Muller's cell
-Inner nine layer forms neural layers of retina, rods and cones- photoreceptors
Bi polar cell-s first order neurons, Ganglion cells- second order neurons
Nutri tion of retina- i nner layers from central a rtery of retina, outer l ayers from
di ffusion from ca pillary pl exus of choroids
Cerebrum
• Cerebral cortex described as six layered structure:
• 1. Outer most layer is molecular or plexiform layer-
mainly nerve fibers and few horizontal cells
• 2. External granular layer- contains predominantly
stellate cells and few small pyramidal cells
• 3. External pyramidal layer- made up of small and
medium-sized pyramidal cells with few stellate cells
• 4. Internal granular layer- made up of stellate cells
and few pyramidal cells. There is a band of white
fibres in the middle of this layer called externa; band
of Baillarger.
• 5. Internal pyramidal or ganglionic layer made up of
large pyramidal cells of Betz. In this layer there is
thin band of white fibers called internal band of
Baillarger
• 6. Multiform or pleiomorphic layer with neurons of
different sizes and shapes. Cells present are fusiform
and cells of Martinotti
• There is a considerable variation in structure from
region to region. In motor cortex pyramidal cells
predominate and in sensory cortex stellate cells are
more in number
• Pyramidal cells- pyramidal in shape woth apex towards
the surface of cortex. Axon arises from the base.
Cerebrum
Cerebellum
• Cortex is a three layered structure
• Outer molecular layer contains basket and
stellate cells, dendrites of purkinje cells and
parallel fibres of granular cells
• Middle purkinje cell- is single cell layer.
These are flask-shaped cells. Axons form the
base of these cells enter medulla and
synapse with cells of intercerebellar nuclei.
• Inner granular layer mad eup of granule and
Golgi cells and synaptic glomeruli. Synpatic
glomeruli formed by dendrites of granule
cell, axon terminals of Golgi cell and
terminal part of mossy fibres.
• Appearance of white matter is described as
arbor vitae cerebelli, made of myelinated
nerve fibres
• In cerebellar cortex only excitatory cell is
granule cell. Remaining cells are inhibitory
• Cerebellum is concerned with balance, co-
ordination and muscle tone and posture.
Spinal
Cord
• Central H-shaped gray matter with large
anterior horns, narrow posterior horns.
Lateral horns are seen in thoracic segments
• Surrounding white matter with anterior
deep median fissure
• Spinal cord extends from outer margin of
foramen magnum to lower border of first
lumbar vertebrae. It is aprt of CNS.
• It has three layers of meningeal layers- dura
amter, arachnoid and pia mater.
• Median anterior fissure is deep.
• Made up of central gray matter and outer
white matter.
• Anterior horns contain multipolar neurons
and interneurons.
• Gray matter of two sides is connected by
gray commissure containing the central
canal.
• White matter contains ascending and
descending tracts. These are grouped as
anterior, lateral and posterior columns.
Does anyone know what this is? Please put
the answer in the group