histology
Americannoun
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the branch of biology dealing with the study of tissues.
-
the structure, especially the microscopic structure, of organic tissues.
noun
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the study, esp the microscopic study, of the tissues of an animal or plant
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the structure of a tissue or organ
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of histology
Explanation
Histology is the scientific study of the tiniest cells that make up plants and animals. If you're interested in histology, you need to get a microscope. Some biologists are most fascinated with the microscopic — so small they're invisible without a microscope — details of organisms. These scientists study histology, examining the cells of plant and animal tissues. While the Greek root of the word histology is histo, or "anything that stands upright," it is used in medical terminology to talk about tissues. The Greek suffix ology simply means "branch of science."
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
It can reveal the orientation and organization of tissue fibers at micrometer resolution on virtually any histology slide, regardless of how it was stained or preserved -- even if the slide is many decades old.
From Science Daily ● Dec. 9, 2025
It typically takes six to eight weeks to complete a full autopsy report, allowing for toxicology and histology tests to be completed.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 17, 2024
The hearing was adjourned to await the findings of further histology and toxicology tests.
From BBC ● Aug. 9, 2023
But a provisional cause of death was not done "pending further investigation of histology and toxicology".
From BBC ● Mar. 17, 2023
I heard about them in histology, neurology, pathology; I used them in experiments on how neighboring cells communicate.
From "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" by Rebecca Skloot
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