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histology

The study of body tissues under a microscope.

his-TOL-uh-jee noun

Word parts

What it means

The science of how cells are arranged into tissues. In a lab, thin slices of tissue, such as a biopsy or a part removed in surgery, are stained and looked at under a microscope. Histology reports help tell whether tissue is normal, inflamed or cancerous.

At a glance

Also writtenhistologic, histological

Related terms

hist/o

A word part that means tissue.

biopsy

Taking a small sample of tissue from the body so it can be looked at under a microscope.

pathology

The study of disease and its causes and effects, or the disease changes found in a person or tissue.

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