Histology practical definition

Question 1

What type of epithelium lines the trachea?

Answer 1

Pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium

Also known as respiratory epithelium.

Question 2

What distinctive cartilage feature is found in the trachea?

Answer 2

C-shaped hyaline cartilage rings

Question 3

What are the two major types of glands found in the trachea?

Answer 3

• Serous glands
• Mucous glands

Question 4

How does the histology of the trachea differ from that of the primary bronchi?

Answer 4

The respiratory epithelium is shorter in the bronchi and they have fewer goblet cells.

Question 5

What are the key histological features of bronchioles?

Answer 5

• Lack glands
• Lack cartilage
• Lack lymphoid aggregates
• Transition from ciliated columnar to cuboidal epithelium
• Thin lamina propria with elastic fibers

Question 6

What is the primary function of the spleen?

Answer 6

Blood filtration and immune response

Question 7

What are the two main components of the spleen?

Answer 7

• White pulp
• Red pulp

Question 8

What type of cells are primarily found in the white pulp of the spleen?

Answer 8

Lymphocytes

Question 9

What is the function of the thymus?

Answer 9

Maturation and instruction of T lymphocytes

Question 10

What are the two main regions of the thymus?

Answer 10

• Cortex
• Medulla

Question 11

What occurs in the cortex of the thymus?

Answer 11

Positive selection of T cells

Question 12

What is the role of Hassall’s corpuscles in the thymus?

Answer 12

They are involved in the maturation process of T cells.

Question 13

What is the blood-thymus barrier?

Answer 13

A physical barrier preventing antigens from entering the thymus

Question 14

What do lymph nodes primarily filter?

Answer 14

Lymph

Question 15

What are the two main regions of a lymph node?

Answer 15

• Cortex
• Medulla

Question 16

What type of cells are found in the medulla of a lymph node?

Answer 16

• Macrophages
• Lymphocytes

Question 17

What type of epithelium lines the oesophagus?

Answer 17

Non-keratinised stratified epithelium

Question 18

What are the four regions of the stomach?

Answer 18

• Cardia
• Fundus
• Body (corpus)
• Pylorus (pyloric antrum)

Question 19

What type of cells secrete hydrochloric acid in the stomach?

Answer 19

Parietal or oxyntic cells

Question 20

What are the three parts of the small intestine?

Answer 20

• Duodenum
• Jejunum
• Ileum

Question 21

What type of glands are present in the duodenum?

Answer 21

Brunner’s glands

Question 22

What is a key feature of the large intestine?

Answer 22

Absence of plicae circulares and villi

Question 23

What types of glands are found in the salivary glands?

Answer 23

• Serous glands
• Mucous glands

Question 24

What are the three major salivary glands?

Answer 24

• Parotid
• Submandibular
• Sublingual

Question 25

What distinguishes serous secretions from mucous secretions?

Answer 25

* Serous: watery fluids * Mucous: viscous fluids

Question 26

What are the two components of the pancreas?

Answer 26

* Exocrine pancreas * Endocrine pancreas

Question 27

What is the functional unit of the exocrine pancreas?

Answer 27

Serous acinus

Question 28

What hormones are produced by the islets of Langerhans?

Answer 28

* Insulin * Glucagon * Somatostatin * Pancreatic polypeptide

Question 29

What type of cells make up the exocrine pancreas?

Answer 29

Serous secretory cells ## Footnote These cells secrete proteins and digestive enzymes.

Question 30

What are the main components of the endocrine pancreas?

Answer 30

Islets of Langerhans ## Footnote The islets are embedded in the exocrine pancreas.

Question 31

How can islets of Langerhans be identified histologically?

Answer 31

Cells within the islet stain more faintly than acini or show different morphology and arrangement.

Question 32

What hormones does the thyroid gland produce?

Answer 32

* Thyroxine (T4) * Triiodothyronine (T3) * Calcitonin

Question 33

What is the shape and location of the thyroid gland?

Answer 33

Butterfly-shaped, located in the anterior portion of the neck

Question 34

What is the primary function of thyroxine and triiodothyronine?

Answer 34

Stimulate metabolic rate

Question 35

What role does calcitonin play in the body?

Answer 35

Regulates calcium metabolism by inhibiting osteoclast function and promoting calcium deposition in bones

Question 36

What is the structure of the thyroid gland?

Answer 36

Organized in two lobes linked by an isthmus, composed of cuboidal epithelium surrounding colloid-filled follicles

Question 37

What regulates the activity of follicular cells in the thyroid?

Answer 37

TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone)

Question 38

What is the primary structural unit of the liver?

Answer 38

Classic lobule

Question 39

What is the shape of the classic lobule in the liver?

Answer 39

Irregular polygonal prism shape

Question 40

What is found at the center of the liver lobule?

Answer 40

Centrilobular vein (central vein)

Question 41

What structures are found at the corners of the liver lobule?

Answer 41

Portal spaces or portal triads containing hepatic arterioles, portal venules, bile ducts, and lymphatic vessels

Question 42

What is the main function of the kidneys?

Answer 42

Regulate fluid balance and produce renin, erythropoietin, and vitamin D

Question 43

What are the main structural components of the kidney?

Answer 43

* Outer cortex * Inner medulla

Question 44

What is the functional unit of the kidney?

Answer 44

Nephron

Question 45

What does the renal corpuscle consist of?

Answer 45

Glomerulus and Bowman’s capsule

Question 46

What is the role of the glomerulus in the kidney?

Answer 46

Composed of capillaries with fenestrated endothelium for filtration

Question 47

What type of epithelium lines the proximal and distal convoluted tubules?

Answer 47

Simple cuboidal epithelium with microvilli (brush border)

Question 48

What is the primary function of the bladder?

Answer 48

Store urine formed in the kidneys

Question 49

What is the basic histologic structure shared by the calyces, pelvis, ureter, and bladder?

Answer 49

The wall of the ureter thickens as it approaches the bladder

Question 50

What type of epithelium makes up the bladder's mucosa?

Answer 50

Transitional epithelium

Question 51

Fill in the blank: The transitional epithelium of the bladder comprises _______ layers of cells.

Answer 51

3-6

Question 52

What are the layers of cells in the transitional epithelium?

Answer 52

* Basal layer (cuboidal or columnar) * Intermediate layer (polygonal) * Superficial layer (domed-shaped, binucleated cells)