10. Histology Identification — Visual Features

What does simple squamous epithelium look like?

Flat cells; single layer; thin; central nucleus

What does simple cuboidal epithelium look like?

Cube-shaped cells; single layer; round central nucleus

What does simple columnar epithelium look like?

Tall cells; single layer; oval nucleus near base

What does pseudostratified columnar epithelium look like?

Looks layered but all cells touch basement membrane; cilia present; nuclei at different levels

What does keratinized stratified squamous epithelium look like?

Many layers; flat dead cells at surface; keratinized layer on top

What does non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium look like?

Many layers; living cells at surface; moist

What does stratified cuboidal epithelium look like?

Multiple layers of cube-shaped cells

What does transitional epithelium look like?

Dome-shaped cells at surface; many layers; can stretch

What does dense regular connective tissue look like?

Parallel wavy collagen fibers; few cells (fibroblasts) between fibers

What does dense irregular connective tissue look like?

Fibers in random directions; more ground substance

What does elastic connective tissue look like?

Elastic fibers visible; wavy; branching

What does areolar connective tissue look like?

Loosely arranged fibers; many cell types; empty spaces

What does reticular connective tissue look like?

Network of reticular fibers; looks like a mesh

What does adipose tissue look like?

Large empty-looking cells (fat droplets); nucleus pushed to edge

What does hyaline cartilage look like?

Glassy smooth matrix; chondrocytes in lacunae; no visible fibers

What does fibrocartilage look like?

Thick collagen fibers; chondrocytes in rows between fibers

What does elastic cartilage look like?

Elastic fibers visible; chondrocytes in lacunae; flexible

What does bone look like?

Osteons with concentric lamellae; central canal; lacunae with osteocytes

What does blood look like?

RBCs (no nucleus); WBCs (with nucleus); platelets

What does skeletal muscle look like?

Striated; multinucleated; long cylindrical fibers; nuclei at periphery

What does cardiac muscle look like?

Striated; branched; intercalated discs; mononucleated; central nucleus

What does smooth muscle look like?

No striations; spindle-shaped cells; mononucleated; central nucleus