Histology (compound of the
Greek words:
ἱστός "tissue", and -
λογία -logia) is the study of the
microscopic anatomy of
cells and
tissues of
plants and
animals. It is commonly performed by examining cells and tissues by sectioning and staining, followed by examination under a
light microscope or
electron microscope. Histological studies may be conducted via
tissue culture, where live cells can be isolated and maintained in a proper environment outside the body for various research projects. The ability to visualize or differentially identify microscopic structures is frequently enhanced through the use of histological stains. Histology is an essential tool of
biology and
medicine.
Histopathology, the microscopic study of diseased tissue, is an important tool in
anatomical pathology, since accurate diagnosis of
cancer and other diseases usually requires histopathological examination of samples. Trained physicians, frequently
board-certified as
pathologists, are the personnel who perform histopathological examination and provide diagnostic information based on their observations.
The trained scientists who perform the preparation of histological sections are
histotechnicians, histology technicians (HT), histology technologists (HTL), medical scientists,
medical laboratory technicians, or
biomedical scientists. Their field of study is called
histotechnology.