Histology, in its broader contemporary sense, is equated with Microscopic Anatomy. It examines elements that cannot be seen with the naked eye and includes the study of the cell and the fine structure of tissues and organs, contributing to the understanding and interpretation of the mechanisms of their functioning, both in physiological and pathological processes. Along with the study of the morphology of histological formations, it also deals with the chemical composition of their constituent elements, their submicroscopic structure, their biological properties, and their functional significance. The use of the electron microscope has extended its boundaries, including a large part of modern Cytology as well as the research of structures at the molecular level, in order to interpret the details of the texture and function of cells and tissues.
The formation of tissues reveals the morphological manifestation of the functional differentiation of cells and early division of labor. The study of various structures under the microscope has particular value only if these structures are examined in relation to their functional significance. The study of how cells are arranged and specialized to perform their specific functions in various tissues provides a measure of the relationship between the structure and function of cells and tissues, as well as between two major branches of Biology: Histology and Physiology.
In the first part of the work, titled "Histology," the cell is examined briefly from both a morphological and functional perspective. This is followed by a detailed description of the structure of tissues, succeeded by the microscopic anatomy of the body's organs.
