Histology Quiz
Questions: 16 · 10 minutes
1. A tissue specimen contains tightly packed epithelial cells but no blood vessels within the epithelium itself. How do these cells normally receive oxygen and nutrients?
From lymphatic vessels running between the epithelial cells
Through ducts that open onto the epithelial surface
By diffusion from capillaries in the underlying connective tissue
By direct transport through the basement membrane from the body cavity
2. Within a field of dark-staining pancreatic acini, a paler rounded cluster of cells is visible. What is the cluster?
An islet of Langerhans
A renal corpuscle
A hepatic lobule
A thyroid follicle
3. Two similarly sized blood vessels are compared. One has a relatively round lumen and a much thicker layer of smooth muscle in its wall. It is most likely which vessel?
A lymphatic vessel
A venule
An artery
A vein
4. An encapsulated lymphoid organ has a cortex containing lymphoid follicles and a medulla containing cords and sinuses. Which organ is it?
Thymus
Lymph node
Spleen
Palatine tonsil
5. In a routine hematoxylin and eosin preparation, which pairing is correct?
Hematoxylin stains collagen pink, while eosin stains nuclei blue
Hematoxylin stains mucin red, while eosin leaves proteins unstained
Hematoxylin stains lipids black, while eosin stains elastic fibers yellow
Hematoxylin stains nuclei blue-purple, while eosin stains much of the cytoplasm pink
6. A lining has many cell layers, and its surface cells are flattened while deeper cells are more cuboidal. Which tissue type does this describe?
Stratified squamous epithelium
Simple cuboidal epithelium
Pseudostratified columnar epithelium
Simple squamous epithelium
7. A muscle specimen shows branching striated fibers, central nuclei, and dark junctions connecting neighboring cells. Which feature most specifically supports its identification as cardiac muscle?
Intercalated discs between cells
The presence of actin and myosin
The absence of connective tissue around fibers
Multiple peripheral nuclei in every fiber
8. A neuron cell body contains clumps of basophilic material known as Nissl substance. What do these clumps primarily represent?
Bundles of actin filaments
Rough endoplasmic reticulum and ribosomes
Stored lipid droplets
Condensed chromatin outside the nucleus
9. A supporting tissue contains rounded cells in lacunae, a firm hydrated matrix, and no blood vessels within the matrix. What tissue is most likely present?
Dense regular connective tissue
Compact bone
Cartilage
Adipose tissue
10. A gland is organized into numerous spherical follicles filled with a homogeneous material called colloid. Which organ is being described?
Pituitary gland
Adrenal gland
Parathyroid gland
Thyroid gland
11. A bone specimen contains concentric lamellae arranged around central canals that carry blood vessels and nerves. What structure and tissue are being observed?
Trabeculae in spongy bone
Lacunae in hyaline cartilage
Osteons in compact bone
Fascicles in dense regular connective tissue
12. Which set of structures is normally represented in a portal triad of the liver?
Central vein, sinusoid, and hepatocyte plate
Branches of the portal vein, hepatic artery, and bile duct
Hepatic vein, lymphoid follicle, and pancreatic duct
Bile canaliculus, central artery, and collecting duct
13. What is the principal secretory product of a typical goblet cell?
Mucin, which contributes to mucus
Hydrochloric acid
Steroid hormone
Collagen
14. Which epithelial type is best suited to permit rapid gas diffusion across pulmonary alveoli?
Stratified cuboidal epithelium
Simple squamous epithelium
Pseudostratified columnar epithelium
Transitional epithelium
15. A small kidney tubule is lined by one layer of cube-shaped cells with round, centrally placed nuclei. How should this lining be classified?
Simple columnar epithelium
Stratified cuboidal epithelium
Transitional epithelium
Simple cuboidal epithelium
16. A section of small intestine shows villi lined by enterocytes with an apical brush border. What is the main functional advantage of this arrangement?
It prevents all movement between adjacent epithelial cells
It allows the lining to stretch as urine accumulates
It generates force for peristaltic contractions
It increases surface area for absorption