what is microscopic anatomy

Microscopic anatomy is a branch of anatomy that studies the smallest structures of the body, including tissues, cells, and molecules, using microscopes. The study of tissues is known as histology, while the study of cells is called cytology. Microscopic anatomy can be examined through a simple dissecting microscope, which allows tissues to be viewed, organized, and described. More powerful microscopes can examine smaller structures found within tissues, such as cells and sub-cellular components of cells known as organelles, and even the molecules that make up these organelles. The extent to which microscopic anatomy can be examined is limited by the equipment available. The fundamental aim of histology is to determine how tissues are organized at all structural levels, from cells and intercellular substances to organs. Microscopic anatomy is a central subject in university degree courses and is important for advances in the fields of physiology, embryology, and practical medicine.