Histotechnology-II & Cytology Notes
Subject Overview
Histotechnology-II & Cytology builds on the first Histotechnology paper with cryostat sectioning, special staining for connective tissue, minerals, pigments, proteins, carbohydrates, bacteria and fungi in tissue, enzyme histochemistry, and specialised tissue handling. It then covers exfoliative and aspiration cytology (including the Papanicolaou technique and FNAC), autoimmune disorder markers and tissue typing for transplant. A 4-credit elective theory paper.
Subject at a glance
2
Units
22
Topics
4
Credits
2
Infographics
Unit-wise Syllabus
2 units — open any unit for detailed topic-wise notes, diagrams and important exam questions
- Cryostat sectioning and its diagnostic applications
- special staining for connective tissue elements (trichrome, elastic, reticulin, collagen fibres)
- metachromatic staining
- metal impregnation
- minerals and pigments
- demonstration of proteins
- nucleic acids
- carbohydrates
- lipids
- bacteria and fungi in tissue sections
- handling of specialised tissue (eyeball, bone marrow, muscle biopsy, uncalcified bone, whole brain/lungs)
- enzyme histochemistry (phosphatases, dehydrogenases, oxidases, peroxidases)
- vital staining
- neuropathological and museum techniques
PAS
Glycogen, mucin, fungi
Magenta
Masson's trichrome
Collagen vs muscle
Collagen blue or green, muscle red
Reticulin (silver)
Reticulin fibres
Black
Perl's Prussian blue
Iron (haemosiderin)
Blue
Ziehl-Neelsen
Acid-fast bacilli
Red rods on blue
Study guide
This unit covers cryostat sectioning, special stains for connective tissue (trichrome, elastic, reticulin, collagen), metachromatic stains, metal impregnation, minerals and pigments, demonstration of proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, lipids, bacteria and fungi, handling of special tissues (eyeball, marrow, muscle, bone, whole organs), enzyme histochemistry, vital staining and neuropathological and museum techniques. Learn which special stain demonstrates which tissue element.
- Aspiration cytology principles and the cytotechnologist's role in FNAC and fluid cytology
- exfoliative cytology and the Papanicolaou technique for cervical smears
- autoimmune disorders
- HLA typing
- T and B cells
- ANA/ANCA/TMA
- cancer immunology
- tissue typing for kidney transplant
Sample
Cells aspirated with a fine needle
Cells shed or scraped from a surface
Sites
Lumps: thyroid, breast, lymph node
Cervix (Pap smear), sputum, urine
Main stains
Giemsa, Pap, H&E
Papanicolaou
Study guide
You study aspiration cytology (FNAC and fluid cytology), exfoliative cytology and the Papanicolaou technique for cervical smears, then autoimmune disorders, HLA typing, T and B cells, ANA, ANCA, TMA, cancer immunology and tissue typing for kidney transplant. Understand the role of the Pap smear in cervical cancer screening.
Why Histotechnology-II & Cytology Matters
Special stains and cytology are used to diagnose cancers, infections and immune disease, and cytotechnologists and histotechnologists are specialised, well-valued roles.
How to Prepare for Histotechnology-II & Cytology
- Make a table of special stains, what they demonstrate and the expected colour.
- Learn the Papanicolaou stain steps and the structures it shows.
- Study images of normal and abnormal cervical cytology.
Histotechnology-II & Cytology: Frequently Asked Questions
What is FNAC?
Fine needle aspiration cytology is a quick procedure in which cells are drawn from a lump with a thin needle and examined under the microscope.
What is the Pap smear used for?
The Papanicolaou smear screens for abnormal cervical cells to detect precancerous changes and cervical cancer early.