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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.
FDA Clears Digital Path for Primary Diagnosis
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…
PAMA Economics Drives Merger Of Two Seattle-Area Pathology Groups
CEO SUMMARY: Among the three chief reasons for the merger of CellNetix and Puget Sound Institute of Pathology, the most compelling was the need to address the challenges in the current reimbursement environment and to prepare for reductions in payment to pathologists expected in the comin…
Ohio State University Medical Center Inks Pact To Adopt Digital Pathology
CEO SUMMARY: For years, the adoption of digital pathology has lagged behind the predictions of its advocates. That has encouraged one digital pathology company—Inspirata, Inc., of Tampa—to come up with a different business strategy designed to help anatomic pathology labs address the …
UnitedHealthcare Warns Labs Not to Waive Patient Fees
CEO SUMMARY: UnitedHealthcare directly tackled the issue of out-of-network labs waiving or capping copayments, coinsurance and deductibles that are to be paid by patients. In a network bulletin this month, UHC said that such arrangements may violate federal law and could lead to state ins…
Does Private Practice Pathology Have a Future?
IN RECENT DECADES, A PROPORTION OF PATHOLOGISTS has been proud of the fact that the pathology profession—to a large extent—had managed to protect the vast majority of private pathology group practices from any number of powerful trends and market forces. In the 1990s, HMO contracting practices t…
January 19, 2016 Intelligence: Late Breaking Lab News
Sakura Finetek USA, Inc., announced on January 5 that it had acquired 100% of the stock of GeneMed Biotechnologies Inc., of South San Francisco, California, along with its “tissue-based advanced staining business for cancer detection, diagnosis, and monitoring.”…
New company ready to heat up slow digital pathology market
IN THE 2000S, DIGITAL PATHOLOGY WAS THE HOT NEW TECHNOLOGY that held great potential to transform anatomic pathology in myriad ways, not the least of which was an essential tool to streamline pathologist workflow while suppor…
New Company Ready to Heat Up Slow Digital Pathology Market
CEO SUMMARY: There’s a new competitor in the digital pathology marketplace with ambitious plans to deliver a fully-integrated pathologist workflow solution. Inspirata, Inc., of Tampa, Florida, made its debut in March at an international pathology conference. In this exclusive i…
July 13, 2015 Intelligence: Late Breaking Lab News
In a milestone for advocates of digital pathology, n anatomic pathology laboratory in The Netherlands has been identified as the first in the world to “transition completely to digital diagnosis.” The laboratory is Laboratorium Pathologie Oost-Nederland (LabPON), located in Hengelo. In a pres…
Early ACO Experience Has Lessons for Pathologists
CEO SUMMARY: To date, many of the nation’s 500 accountable care organizations have launched with little involvement by independent pathology groups and clinical laboratories. That was not the case with an ACO in Alabama, however. From its inception in 2012, the ACO has contract…
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