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Histology
Histology
Histology is a branch of anatomy that deals with the study structure of animal and plant tissues that is only discernible with a microscope. It is also called microscopic anatomy, as opposed to gross anatomy, which involves structures that can be observed with the naked eye. The word “histology” is derived from two Greek words: histo, which means “tissue,” and logos, which means “study.”
Histopathology, the microscopic study of diseased tissue, is an important tool used in anatomical pathology, as accurate diagnosis of cancer and other diseases usually requires histopathological examination of samples.
Histological studies are often carried out by examining a thin slice (called a “section”) of tissue under a light microscope or an electron microscope on a prepared slide.
In order to distinguish different biological structures more easily and accurately, histological stains are often used to add colors to, or enhance the colors of, certain types of biological structures to allow them to be more easily differentiated from other types of structures. Staining is employed because biological tissue has little inherent contrast when observed using either light or electron microscopes.
Trained physicians, frequently licensed clinical pathologists, are the personnel who actually perform histopathological examinations and provide diagnostic information based on their observations of the tissues being tested.
The trained personnel who prepare histological specimens for examination may go by a number of titles, including:
- Histotechnician
- Histology technician (HT)
- Histology technologists (HTL)
- Medical scientists
- Medical laboratory technician
- Biomedical scientist
Their field of study is called histotechnology.
Histology has seen recent changes as technological advances in automation have influenced the field. Automation allows for the reduction of the workload of manual task needed to prepare and track histology specimens. Artificial intelligence also is playing a growing role in supporting the analysis of sections, supporting anatomic pathologists during their examinations of samples.
Pap Test Errors in Ireland Attributed to Quest, CPL
By Joseph Burns | From the Volume XXV No. 10 – July 9, 2018 Issue
CEO SUMMARY: In Ireland, the big story in healthcare at the moment is the discovery that the nation’s cervical cancer screening program has failed hundreds of women who had pre-cancerous conditions or cervical cancer, but, as alleged in numerous court cases, their tests were inaccurate …
Wake Forest Baptist Lab’s Path Errors Teach Lessons
By Joseph Burns | From the Volume XXV No. 7 – May 7, 2018 Issue
CEO SUMMARY: For medical directors and pathologists interested in improving their labs’ compliance with CLIA regulations, a report from federal and state inspectors of an inspection of the pathology lab at the Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center offers insights into what issues caught th…
CMS Report, News Stories Describe Pathology Issues
By Joseph Burns | From the Volume XXV No. 6 – April 16, 2018 Issue
CEO SUMMARY: In response to information the pathology lab staff provided to the hospital’s risk manager last fall, and following a federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services inspection in February, the Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center is taking corrective action to fix serious…
Wake Forest Baptist Hospital Reviewing Path Lab Deficiencies
By R. Lewis Dark | From the Volume XXV No. 6 – April 16, 2018 Issue
CEO SUMMARY: In response to information the staff provided to Wake Forest Baptist Hospital’s risk manager last fall, and following a federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services inspection in February, CMS describes deficiencies found as “an immediate jeopardy to the health and …
GE Healthcare Sells Omnyx to Inspirata
By Joseph Burns | From the Volume XXV No. 3 – February 12, 2018 Issue
CEO SUMMARY: Now that the FDA has cleared a digital pathology for use in primary diagnosis, interest in DP is building. Inspirata purchased Omnyx and its assets because the Omnyx Dynamyx digital pathology software has strong features that could be integrated into Inspirata’s digital pat…
TOP 10 LAB STORIES OF 2017
By Robert Michel | From the Volume XXIV No. 17 – December 11, 2017 Issue
1. CMS Sticks by Decision to Deeply Cut Medicare Part B Lab Test Fees SHORT OF A MIRACLE, the clinical laboratory industry is less than three weeks from the single most financially-disruptive event of the past 30 years. On Jan. 1, the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Service…
Value of Miraca Falls By 92% from 2011 to 2017
By Joseph Burns | From the Volume XXIV No. 17 – December 11, 2017 Issue
CEO SUMMARY: Miraca Life Sciences amended its merger agreement with Avista Capital Partners after the lab lost value in the two months since the agreement was signed in September. Factors precipitating the revision were a significant decline in reimbursement rates, stiff competition from …
USC’s Clive Taylor, MD, Talks Digital Path, WSI
By Joseph Burns | From the Volume XXIV No. 10 – July 17, 2017 Issue
CEO SUMMARY: The FDA’s clearance of the first digital pathology system for use in primary diagnosis will be a disruptive force for pathologists in the coming years. At the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, pathologist Clive Taylor, MD, predicts that the benefits of …
Digital Pathology Systems Will Create Opportunities
By R. Lewis Dark | From the Volume XXIV No. 7 – May 15, 2017 Issue
CEO SUMMARY: Advanced Pathology Associates, a 15-member private pathology group practice, had the distinction of generating data for the clinical study that Philips submitted to the Food and Drug Administration for review of its whole slide imaging system. Following the FDA’s decision t…
FDA Clears Digital Path for Primary Diagnosis
By Joseph Burns | From the Volume XXIV No. 6 – April 24, 2017 Issue
CEO SUMMARY: Proponents of digital pathology systems and whole slide imaging achieved a milestone on April 12 when the FDA cleared the Philips digital pathology system for sale in the United States. Now pathologists can use the system to perform primary diagnoses and get paid for those pr…
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