Tissue descriptors

Tissue descriptors, also tissue characteristics, are things to think about when describing tissue to someone else.

Architecture/arrangement

• Gland forming.
• Palisading.
• Rosettes.
• Sheets.
• Nests.
• Cords.
• Epithelial specific.
  • Stratified.
  • Pseudostratified.

Borders of the cell

• Distinct.
• Indistinct.
• Spacing between cells (e.g. intercellular bridges).

Cytology

• Size - relative to RBC.
  • Variability.
  • NC ratio.
• Morphology.
  • Epithelioid.
  • Spindle.
  • Columnar.
  • Cuboidal.
• Nucleus.
  • Shape.
  • Stratification.
    • Basal.
    • Peripheral.
    • Central.
  • Multinucleation.
  • Nucleoli.
    • Number.
    • Size.
  • Chromatin.
    • Inclusions.
    • Consistency.
      • Bland.
      • Clearing.
      • Stippled (salt 'n pepper).
• Cytoplasm.
  • Colour.
  • Consistency.
  • Inclusions.

Other

• Vessels.
• Necrosis.
• Hemorrhage.
• Mitoses.
  • Atypical mitoses.
• Inflammatory cells.

Simplified classification

• Arrangement - sheets, glands, nests, mixed population.
  • Morphology - spindle, epithelioid, polygonal.
• Borders - distinct, indistinct, spaces.
• Cytoplasm - colour, other.
• DNA (nucleus) - number, location, size, nucleoli.

See also

• Basics.