Animal Cytology and Histology

In order to confer the proposed competencies, the teaching/learning process is based on:
• Theoretical lectures and practical classes with microscopic observation of topics related to Cytology and Histology, as well as sample collection from animal cadavers;
• Use of audiovisual resources to demonstrate specific physiological processes and mechanisms;
• Visits to Cytology and Histology laboratories.

The objectives of this course unit are to equip students with essential skills in animal cytology and animal histology, enabling the knowledge acquired to be applied across different areas of veterinary sciences and biotechnological diagnostics.
Students will learn to distinguish normal cells from those altered by pathological and non-pathological processes in different types of tissues.
They will acquire basic skills in obtaining tissue samples in clinical or field practice, sending those samples to different laboratories, and preparing them histologically for histopathology and molecular analyses.
This course unit will help students to integrate cytological and histological knowledge with information already acquired in Anatomy and Physiology, and it provides the foundation for the subsequent study of Pathology.

Module 1 – Introduction to Cytology and Histology
Introduction to Cytology and Histology (General overview):
• Structure of mammalian cells and functions of cellular components
• Classification of cells according to their shapes and specialised functions
• Introduction to Microscopy

Module 2 – Classification of Tissues: Normal histological structures of the different types of tissues and organs
• Techniques for tissue collection and submission to the histology laboratory: sampling and preservation methods, packaging of biological samples for dispatch to different laboratories, and accompanying documentation
• Tissue processing in the histology laboratory; equipment used in histological preparations
• Interpretation and description of histological preparations of different organs and tissues: urinary, digestive and associated glands, cardiovascular, respiratory, endocrine, integumentary, haemolymphatic, and nervous systems
• Interpretation and description of results

NAO