Histology Practice Questions

Q: Which type of gland is depicted here?

Holocrine. ***Holocrine*** - The image depicts sebaceous glands, which are **holocrine glands**. In holocrine secretion, the entire cell disintegrates to release its contents. - The cells appear filled with lipid droplets, and as they mature, they move towards the center of the acinus, eventually lysing to release the **sebum** into the hair follicle. *Apocrine* - Apocrine glands release their secretory products by **pinching off a portion of the apical cytoplasm** of the cell. - This mode of secretion is characteristic of certain sweat glands and mammary glands, where the cell body remains largely intact. *Merocrine* - Merocrine glands release their secretions via **exocytosis**, with no loss of cellular material. - This is the most common mode of glandular secretion and is seen in salivary glands and pancreatic acinar cells. *Endocrine* - Endocrine glands are **ductless glands** that secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream, rather than onto an epithelial surface or into a lumen. - They lack the acinar structure with a duct leading to a surface, as shown in the image.

Q: The lower two thirds of the following hematoxylin and eosin stained specimen is similar in appearance to which of the following structures?

Intervertebral disk. ***Intervertebral disk*** - The lower two-thirds of the specimen shows **hyaline-like cartilage** that histologically resembles the **transition zone** of the intervertebral disk, where the inner annulus fibrosus transitions from the nucleus pulposus. - While the nucleus pulposus itself is gelatinous and notochordal in origin, the **inner annulus fibrosus** contains fibrocartilage with regions that can appear similar to hyaline cartilage, particularly in the transitional zones. - The specimen's appearance, with **chondrocytes in lacunae** within a relatively homogeneous matrix, matches the cartilaginous components found in intervertebral disk structure. *Articular disk* - Articular disks are composed predominantly of **fibrocartilage**, characterized by **dense parallel collagen fiber bundles** clearly visible in the matrix and chondrocytes arranged in linear rows between collagen bundles. - The homogeneous matrix appearance in the specimen lacks the prominent fibrous architecture typical of articular disks. *Pinna* - The pinna (external ear) is supported by **elastic cartilage**, which contains abundant **elastic fibers** in its extracellular matrix providing flexibility and resilience. - With H&E staining, elastic cartilage would show a more textured matrix, and special stains would demonstrate extensive elastic fiber networks not present in this specimen. *Epiphyseal growth plate* - While the epiphyseal growth plate consists of **hyaline cartilage**, it exhibits highly characteristic **zonal organization**: resting zone, proliferative zone (with columnar arrangement), hypertrophic zone, and zone of calcification. - The specimen lacks the distinct columnar arrangement and zonal stratification that defines an active epiphyseal growth plate.

Q: The hematoxylin and eosin stained biopsy shown below is taken from which tissue?

Tonsil. ***Tonsil*** - The image displays prominent **lymphoid follicles** with **germinal centers** characteristic of tonsillar tissue, which is part of the **mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT)**. - The surface is lined by **stratified squamous epithelium** (visible at the top), typical for tonsils that are exposed to the oral cavity. *Lymph Node* - While lymph nodes also contain lymphoid follicles with germinal centers, they are typically surrounded by a **fibrous capsule** and have distinct **cortex and medulla** regions, which are not clearly visible here. - Lymph nodes are covered by a thin connective tissue capsule, not stratified squamous epithelium. *Spleen* - The spleen is characterized by distinct **red pulp** (involved in blood filtration and erythrocyte destruction) and **white pulp** (containing lymphoid follicles). - The image lacks the characteristic architecture of red pulp, such as sinusoids filled with blood, and the overall organization differs from splenic tissue. *Thymus* - The thymus is characterized by a **cortex and medulla**, with developing T lymphocytes and Hassall's corpuscles in the medulla. - The absence of Hassall's corpuscles and the presence of a surface epithelium rule out the thymus.

Q: Which of the cells labelled below secrete hydrochloric acid?

A. ***A*** - The cells labeled 'A' are **parietal cells** (oxyntic cells), which are large, often triangular or oval cells with an eosinophilic cytoplasm due to abundant mitochondria. - Parietal cells are responsible for secreting **hydrochloric acid (HCl)** and intrinsic factor, crucial for vitamin B12 absorption. *B* - The cells labeled 'B' appear to be **mucous neck cells** or chief cells found deeper in the gastric glands. - Mucous neck cells secrete **acidic mucus**, while chief cells primarily produce **pepsinogen**. *C* - The cells labeled 'C' are primarily **chief cells**, which are basophilic due to their abundant rough endoplasmic reticulum, associated with protein synthesis. - Chief cells secrete **pepsinogen** and gastric lipase, not hydrochloric acid. *D* - The structure labeled 'D' points to the connective tissue of the **lamina propria**, which contains blood vessels, nerves, and immune cells. - This area provides structural support and nutrition to the gastric glands but does not secrete digestive enzymes or acid.

Q: Which type of salivary glands is shown in the image?

Mucous. ***Mucous*** - The image predominantly displays **mucous acini**, characterized by their **pale-staining cytoplasm** and **flat, basally located nuclei**. - These cells produce **viscous, carbohydrate-rich mucus** for lubrication and protection. *Serous* - **Serous acini** typically show **darker, basophilic cytoplasm** due to abundant rough endoplasmic reticulum and **round, centrally located nuclei**. - They secrete **watery fluid rich in enzymes**, which is not the primary feature seen here. *Mixed* - **Mixed glands** contain both **serous and mucous acini**, often with **serous demilunes** capping the mucous acini. - While some ducts are visible, the overwhelming majority of secretory units are clearly mucous, not a balance of both or prominent serous demilunes. *Papillary* - **Papillary structures** are typically associated with ducts or cyst linings, forming finger-like projections. - This term does not describe a primary type of salivary gland secretory unit based on its cellular composition or secretory product.

Q: Which type of salivary gland is shown in the image?

Mixed. ***Mixed*** - The image clearly shows a combination of both **serous acini** (darker staining, more granular cells) and **mucous acini** (paler staining, foamy appearance, flattened peripheral nuclei). - Many **mucous acini are capped by serous demilunes**, which is a classic histological feature of mixed glands. *Serous* - Serous glands would solely consist of **serous acini**, characterized by darkly stained, granular cytoplasm and round, centrally located nuclei. - There would be no presence of the paler, foamy cells or **mucous acini** seen in the image. *Mucous* - Mucous glands would primarily contain **mucous acini**, which appear light-staining and foamy with flattened, basally located nuclei, lacking the prominent serous components. - The image contains significant numbers of cells with dense, eosinophilic cytoplasm typical of serous cells, not exclusively mucous cells. *Papillary* - "Papillary" refers to a **growth pattern or morphology** of epithelium, characterized by finger-like projections, and is not a classification for the secretory product of a salivary gland. - Salivary glands are classified based on their secretory units (serous, mucous, or mixed), not their overall structural arrangement.

Q: Which type of salivary glands is shown in the image?

Mixed. ***Mixed*** - The image displays both **serous acini** (darkly stained, uniform cells forming spherical structures) and **mucous tubules** (larger, lighter-stained cells often forming more tubular or crescent structures), characteristic of a mixed salivary gland. - The presence of **serous demilunes** capping some mucous tubules further confirms the mixed nature, although not clearly visible at this magnification, it's inferred by the blend of cell types. *Serous* - Serous glands would show almost exclusively **darkly stained, granular acini** producing watery secretions, like the parotid gland. - The image clearly contains lighter-stained, more translucent structures in addition to the dark acini, ruling out a purely serous gland. *Mucous* - Mucous glands would primarily consist of **pale-staining, vacuolated cells** forming tubules, responsible for viscous secretions. - While mucous components are present, significant numbers of darkly stained serous acini are also visible. *Papillary* - "Papillary" refers to a **growth pattern** characterized by finger-like projections, not a type of secretory cell or gland. - This term is typically used in the context of tumors or certain glandular epithelia but not for classifying conventional salivary gland types.

Q: Identify the structure:

Tonsil. ***Tonsil*** - The image displays multiple **crypts** lined by **stratified squamous epithelium** and filled with abundant **lymphoid follicles**, which are characteristic features of a tonsil. - Tonsils are secondary lymphoid organs located in the oropharynx, specialized for immune surveillance of ingested and inhaled antigens. *Lymph node* - Lymph nodes are typically encapsulated and show distinct cortical and medullary regions, lacking the deep crypts seen in the image. - They contain lymphoid follicles but are surrounded by a capsule and have afferent and efferent lymphatic vessels. *Spleen* - The spleen is characterized by red pulp (involved in filtering blood) and white pulp (containing lymphoid follicles around arterioles). - Its histological structure does not include epithelial-lined crypts. *Thymus* - The thymus is distinctively lobulated and features a cortex rich in thymocytes and a medulla containing **Hassall's corpuscles**. - It lacks the prominent lymphoid follicles and crypts observed in the image, as its primary role is T-cell maturation.

Q: Identify the tissue shown in the histopathological image:

Thymus. ***Thymus*** - The image shows a **thymic cortical area** characterized by a high density of lymphocytes (thymocytes) and Hassall's corpuscles [2]. - **Hassall's corpuscles**, visible as pink-staining, whorled epithelial structures are pathognomonic for the thymus [1]. *Lymph node* - Lymph nodes contain distinct cortical and medullary regions with **lymphoid follicles**, germinal centers, and sinuses filled with lymphocytes and macrophages. - They lack the characteristic **Hassall's corpuscles** seen in the image. *Tonsil* - Tonsils are characterized by crypts and germinal centers within lymphoid follicles, often covered by **stratified squamous epithelium**. - While they are lymphoid organs, they do not contain **Hassall's corpuscles**. *Spleen* - The spleen has a distinct **red pulp** (involved in blood filtration) and **white pulp** (lymphoid tissue around arterioles). - It does not contain Hassall's corpuscles and its architecture is markedly different from the image provided. **References:** [1] Kumar V, Abbas AK, et al.. Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease. 9th ed. Diseases of White Blood Cells, Lymph Nodes, Spleen, and Thymus, p. 634. [2] Cross SS. Underwood's Pathology: A Clinical Approach. 6th ed. Common Clinical Problems From Diseases Of The Urinary And Male Genital Tracts, pp. 572-574.

Q: Identify the tissue

Tonsil. ***Tonsil*** - The presence of **crypts** (invaginations of the surface epithelium) and a prominent **germinal center** within the lymphoid follicles are characteristic features of the tonsil [1]. - Tonsils are part of Waldeyer's ring and function in immune surveillance of the oral cavity and pharynx. *Lymph node* - Lymph nodes typically have a **capsule**, a distinct **cortex** and **medulla**, and afferent/efferent lymphatic vessels. - They lack the prominent crypts seen in tonsils. *Spleen* - The spleen is characterized by distinct **red pulp** (involved in filtering blood) and **white pulp** (lymphoid tissue). - It does not have crypts or a similar architectural organization to the tonsil. *Thymus* - The thymus is characterized by a **cortex** and **medulla**, with the presence of **Hassall's corpuscles** in the medulla [2]. - It is primarily involved in T-cell maturation and lacks the lymphoid follicles with germinal centers and crypts seen in tonsils. **References:** [1] Cross SS. Underwood's Pathology: A Clinical Approach. 6th ed. Common Clinical Problems From Diseases Of The Urinary And Male Genital Tracts, pp. 552-553. [2] Kumar V, Abbas AK, et al.. Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease. 9th ed. Diseases of White Blood Cells, Lymph Nodes, Spleen, and Thymus, p. 634.

Question 1

Which type of gland is depicted here?

Accepted Answer

Holocrine

Answer

Apocrine

Answer

Merocrine

Answer

Endocrine

Question 2

The lower two thirds of the following hematoxylin and eosin stained specimen is similar in appearance to which of the following structures?

Accepted Answer

Intervertebral disk

Answer

Articular disk

Answer

Pinna

Answer

Epiphyseal growth plate

Question 3

The hematoxylin and eosin stained biopsy shown below is taken from which tissue?

Accepted Answer

Tonsil

Answer

Lymph Node

Answer

Spleen

Answer

Thymus

Question 4

Which of the cells labelled below secrete hydrochloric acid?

Accepted Answer

A

Answer

B

Answer

C

Answer

D

Question 5

Which type of salivary glands is shown in the image?

Accepted Answer

Mucous

Answer

Serous

Answer

Mixed

Answer

Papillary

Question 6

Which type of salivary gland is shown in the image?

Accepted Answer

Mixed

Answer

Serous

Answer

Mucous

Answer

Papillary

Question 7

Which type of salivary glands is shown in the image?

Accepted Answer

Mixed

Answer

Serous

Answer

Mucous

Answer

Papillary

Question 8

Identify the structure:

Accepted Answer

Tonsil

Answer

Lymph node

Answer

Spleen

Answer

Thymus

Question 9

Identify the tissue shown in the histopathological image:

Accepted Answer

Thymus

Answer

Lymph node

Answer

Tonsil

Answer

Spleen

Question 10

Identify the tissue

Accepted Answer

Tonsil

Answer

Lymph node

Answer

Spleen

Answer

Thymus

Histology — MCQs

Histology — MCQs

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