What does histology mean?
Histology is the study of the microscopic structure of biological tissues. By examining thin sections of tissue under a microscope, histologists can identify cells, fibres, blood vessels, and other features that reveal how organs are organized and whether abnormalities are present. The term is especially important in medicine, pathology, and biological research, where examining tissue can help diagnose cancer, inflammatory conditions, infections, and other diseases. In ordinary writing, “histology” may refer either to the field itself or to the characteristic tissue structure of a particular organism or organ. It is a technical term, but it is widely used in academic and clinical contexts. The related adjective “histological” describes anything connected with tissue structure, while “histologist” denotes a specialist who studies histology.
nounThe branch of biology and medicine concerned with the microscopic structure of tissues and the cells that compose them.
- The microscopic study of the structure of biological tissues.
- The particular tissue structure or composition of an organism or organ.
"The biopsy was examined by histology to determine whether the abnormal cells were cancerous."
"Histology revealed inflammation throughout the lining of the intestine."
"The text describes the histology of the human liver in considerable detail."
Usually used in the plural when referring to distinct studies or bodies of microscopic tissue analysis; the singular is more common when naming the field.
"The study compares the histologies of healthy and diseased liver tissue."
From Greek words meaning “tissue” and “study,” histology is the science of seeing what organs are made of beneath the surface.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does histology come from?
The word “histology” comes from the Greek histos, meaning “tissue” or “web,” combined with -logia, meaning “study of.” The compound entered scientific usage during the 19th century as the systematic microscopic study of tissues developed. It belongs to a family of scientific terms built on the same Greek roots, including histogenesis and histomorphology.
Related word forms
How histology is actually used
In medicine, “histology” often refers to the microscopic examination of tissue, especially when identifying disease in a biopsy. The adjective “histological” and adverb “histologically” are common in formal and technical writing.
Easily confused with histology
Histology describes the normal or abnormal microscopic structure of tissues, whereas pathology is the broader study and diagnosis of disease.