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Department of Histology and Embryology

Faculty of Medicine, PU, Olomouc, CZ

Histology practical No. 23

ORGANS OF SPECIAL SENSES


Topics:

1- REVISION OF MICROSCOPIC ANATOMY OF


THE EYE, EAR, GUSTATORY, OFLACTORY,
EXTERO- AND PROPRIO- RECEPTORS. (Pre-lab rev.ppt)
2- IDENTIFICATION OF THE EYE, EAR, GUSTATORY,
OLFACTORY, EXTERO- AND PROPRIO- RECEPTORS.
INCLUDING THEIR SPECIFIC COMPONENTS IN STAINED
HISTOLOGY SLIDES OR PRINTED IMAGES.
3- IDENTIFICATION OF SPECIFIC STRUCTURES AND CELLS IN
THESE ORGANS IN STAINED HISTOLOGY AND PC-MONITORED
SLIDES OR PRINTED IMAGES.

Slides:
Methodical note:
The slides of eye and ear are difficult to process for histology observations due to their physical properties, either
being very sift and fragile or embedded into a bony shell. In vivo, the tissues of the eyeball are supported from
inside by aqueous humor (anterior and posterior chambers) or by vitreous body (the posterior segment) that keep the
wall well extended and all its layers adhering together. The processes of fixation, dehydration and embedding alter
the proper adherence of these layers and cause detachments and slight relocation of the retina that frequently
separates itself from the pigment epithelium cells. The thin, inwards protruding structures like the iris may be
deviated from its original position too. Similar deviations may occur with tiny structures of the membranous
labyrinth of the inner ear. Their optimal preservation is also altered by decalcification process necessary to cut the
bone that surrounds the inner ear structures.

1. Eye, anterior segment (Oko, pedn segm., sl.n. 66E), section, H&E stain.
Due to the large size of the human eye, this slide includes only the anterior segment of the
eyeball. Observe this section at low magnification and identify the cornea, sclera, and their

Overview

ACh
L
Ir

Ir

CB

PCh

Lens
1

ACh

L
Ir

PCh

CB
CP

Lens

transition at the limbus (L). Study the structure of the sclera (S), note the parallel bundles of the
intransparent connective tissue with some blood vessels. Compare sclera with the cornea (C),
which is composed of five layers. Enumerate the layers and indicate the anterior (AE) and
posterior epithelia (PE). What is the structure of these epithelia and what are the names of their
supporting membranes? Note that the corneal stroma (St) is completely avascular and its
connective tissue has a few cells only. In the same slide you can study also the ciliary body
(CB), ciliary processes (CP) and the iris (Ir). You can locate these structures easily by the
presence of pigmented epithelial cells (PC) on their surfaces. The ciliary processes are covered
by the two-layered cuboidal epithelium, with superficially located clear cells (arrows), and
basally located pigmented cells (PC). What is the function of clear cells? In the iris, note the
difference in lining of the anterior and posterior faces of this structure. Try to locate the
sphincter and dilator muscle of the iris. Your slide show the lens slightly damaged, but you
can locate the anterior chamber (ACh) and a part of the posterior chamber (PCh). Some slides
may include the ora serrata with the transition into the retina. In the middle zone between the
outer and inner layers of the eyeball, you can locate the vascular choroid layer (ChL), that
contains many blood vessels fibrocytes and pigmented cells.

AE

St

PE
2

CP
CP
PC

PC

ChL

Retina is
displaced

2. Eye, Entire (Sl.n. 66D-Eye_Entire_Fovea.vsi), section, H&E stain.


This virtual slide includes entire eyeball cut in the mid-pupillary plane. It shows the anterior as
well as posterior segments with many important structures to be studied. In the anterior segment,
you can observe all structures described with the first slide (Sl.n.66E). Due to the cutting
procedure the lens is damaged and some debris of it is found in the anterior chamber of the eye.
In the posterior segment, behind the ora serrata, you can find the optic nerve (ON) and the

Overview

CB
Ir

ON

C
Vitreous body
Lens

nearby retina (R) with the other layers of the eyeball wall. Find a part of the retina that is not
detached very much from the pigment epithelium. Also think about the developmental reasons of
the fact that, if mechanically strained, this layer separates always only between the outer
segments of rods and cones and the pigment epithelium. Study the vertical cellular components
of the retina and locate the rods and cones (outer and inner segments, Ro, Co), the bipolar
ganglion cells (their nuclei, BGC) and cell bodies of the large ganglion cells (GC) as well.
Amacrine, horizontal and Muller cells are difficult to locate in H&E stained sections. Finally,
under high magnification, identify all ten zones of the retina starting with the pigment
epithelium (PE, arrow) and ending up with the internal limiting membrane (ILM). Note that in
the spot of the optic nerve (ON), all cellular components of the retina are missing (optic papilla
= the blind spot).

ILM
ChL
S
GC
BGC

10
9

ILM

8
7
6

GC

5
4
3
2
1

BGC

Ro

S
ChL

The structural zones in retina are as follows: 1 - pigmented epithelium, 2 - rods and cones,
3 - outer limiting membrane, 4 - outer nuclear layer, 5 - outer plexiform layer, 6 - inner nuclear

layer, 7 - inner plexiform layer, 8 - ganglion cells layer, 9 - nerve fibers layer, 10 - inner limiting
membrane.

3. Eye, posterior segment (Sl.n. 66Dcr-Eye_Entire_FoveaOnly.vsi), section, H&E stain.


Central fovea (CF) is also included in this section. You can study this region better in this
virtual slide, which is a partial crop of the posterior segment of the previous slide. Observe
location of the fovea centralis being near to the optical axis of the eyeball. In this spot of sharp
vision all internal layers of the retina (most of the large ganglion cells, GC, and bipolar ganglion
cells layers, BGC) are reduced to a minimum and only the cones (C) with their receptive zone
and nuclei are present there in a high amount.

CF
GC
BGC

ChL
S

4. Eye, posterior segment, optic nerve (Sl.n. 66Ccr-Eye_Entire.vsi), section, H&E stain.
This slide includes the posterior part of the eyeball with the optic nerve (ON), retina (R) and
with the other layers of the eyeball wall. Focus you attention to the spot, where the optic nerve
leaves the eyeball penetrating all the layers of the retina (optic disc, OD). Note, that at this spot,
all layers of the eyeball are interrupted, including cellular elements of the retina (blind spot),
except for the nerve fibers layer (NFL) that makes a small depression where the axons of retinal
large ganglion cells leave the eyeball. Also the sclera is interrupted here into short segments
forming a sieve-like lamina cribrosa (LC). Observe sections of large blood vessels (central
retinal artery & vein and their branches, asterisks) present in nerve fibers layer in this area, as
they enter the inner surface of the retina (Fig.1).

Overview

R
OD

S
LC

ON

OD

NFL

NFL

* *

*
S
S
LC

ON

5. Optic nerve (Fasciculus opticus, sl.n. 68), transverse s., H&E stain.
This slide shows a
transverse section of the
optic nerve (ON) after
it has left the eyeball
and acquired its own
envelopes (E) derived
from dura mater and
pia-arachnoid
brain
envelopes. Observe the
transverse sections of
myelinated
axons
(MA)
arranged
in
bundles separated by
septa (S) derived from
the surface envelopes.
At high magnification,
find nuclei of glial cells
(arrows) among the
axons and name these
cells properly.

Overview

MA

MA

ON

S
S

6. Lacrimal gland (Virtual Sl.110-Lacrimal_Gl.vsi), l. s., Massons stain.


This slide shows a
few
lobules
of
Overview
lacrimal
gland
covered with a thin
connective
tissue
SP
capsule
and
separated with thin
septa (arrows). The
serous parenchyma
SP
(SP) of this gland is
composed of many
slightly
distended
acini (A) containing
one
layer
of
SP
columnar secretory
cells. These cells
have round-shaped
nuclei located in the
lower half of the cell
and a fluffy-looking cytoplasm with pale secretory granules. The height of secretory cells varies
with their function. Around acini, a few myoepithelial cells with flat nuclei are located. In
thicker bands of interlobular septa, tubules of the excretory duct system (ED) and blood
vessels are found. Small ducts are lined with a simple cuboidal epithelium and large ones are
lined with a two-layered columnar epithelium. Explain why is the connective tissue of
interlobular septa in yellow color in this slide?

A
ED

7. Eyelid (Virtual Sl.101A-Eyelid_Mass.vsi), l. s., Massons stain.


This slide shows a longitudinal section through the eyelid exposing all its layers. The core
structures of the eyelid forms tarsal plate (TP), located close to the conjunctival face of the
eyelid, and bundles of skeletal muscle fibers presenting the orbicularis oculi muscle (OOM).
All these structures are surrounded by a loose connective tissue. On the external surface (ES) of
the eyelid, study the covering by a thin skin (with all appendages of this kind of skin), and on
Overview

ES
OOM
HF
TG
TG
IS

TP

the internal surface (IS) observe the very smooth stratified columnar epithelium of the
conjuctiva. The free edge of this fold of the skin has several hair follicles (eyelashes, HF) with
associated sebaceous glands (of Zeiss). There are two additional glands in this part of the eyelid;
the large tarsal gland (holocrine, sebaceous, TG), that has its secretory portions and also the
duct located within the tarsal plate, and the apocrine glands of Moll (AGM), located close to the
edge of the eyelid (not shown in this section).

OOM

HF

HF

TG

IS
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H&E staining

HF

OOM

AGM
HF
AGM

8. Cochlea (Cochlea, sl.n. 69), section, H&E stain.


This slide shows a vertical section of cochlea including its bony and membranous components.
Due to the soft nature of the membranous labyrinth not all structures in the two and half turns of
the spiral tunnel may be preserved well. At low magnification, orient yourself within the section
and locate some landmark structures like the modiolus (M) and spiral ganglion cells (SG).
Follow the edge of the spiral limbus (SL) and locate the scala vestibuli (SV), scala tympani
(ST), and the scala media (SM) with basilar (Ba) and vestibular membranes (VM). Do not be
mistaken by distortions or absence of some of these membranes. Select the best preserved
sections of the organ of Corti (OC) and with the higher magnifications, follow the supporting
(S) and hair cells (HC) of this acoustic sensory organ. The tectorial membrane (TM) may also
be detached or displaced from its original adherence to the tips of the outer hair sensory cells
(arrowhead). What are the cells that secrete this acellular membrane? Continue your observations
up to the outer (lateral) edge
of the organ of Corti and
SV
study the stria vascularis
(SV) lined by pseudostratified
columnar epithelium with
SM
intraepithelial capillaries.
TM
What is the specific function
of these epithelial cells? One
or more sections of the spiral
OC
ganglion (SG) may be found
in the modiolus, showing
groups of cell bodies of
bipolar
ganglion
cells.
ST
Specify the target structures
of dendrites and axons of
SEM of the spiral tunnel
these nerve cells.
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Overview

SL

SM
SG
VM
BM

SV

SG

SM
SV

SG

OC
ST

SM
ST

VM
SV
TM
SL
M

OC

SG
BM

Bone

12

Bone

9. Circumvallate papilla, taste buds (Sl.n. 71A-Tongue_Taste_Buds.vsi), section, H&E stain.


You have already studied similar slide earlier with the other structures of the tongue. In this thin
Overview

E
CVP
E

TB

E
TB

S
TB

G
S

TB

section of the tongue, find some taste buds (TB) on slopes of the lateral ridges of the lining
stratified squamous nonkeratinized epithelium (E) of the circumvallate papilla (CVP), and
with high magnifications study the supporting (S) and gustatory cells (G) inside the taste buds.
In optimal sections, you may also see the gustatory pore of the taste bud as it opens to the
surface of the epithelium. Synaptic contacts and dendrites of the afferent neurons are not clear
in the standard H&E staining. Revise the ultrastructure of gustatory sensory cells.
Revise also Sl.71-Tongue_CircumvalPap.vsi (Practical n.12).
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10. Olfactory epithelium (Virtual Sl.92A-Nasal_Septum_Olf.vsi), section, H&E stain.


Similar slide of nasal cavity has already been studied in the respiratory system practical for
comparison of respiratory an olfactory mucosa (OM) in nasal cavity of an animal with well
developed sense of smell. The olfactory mucosa is specifically biopsied in this slide. It is lined
by very high pseudostratified columnar ciliated epithelium without goblet cells. The lack of
intraepithelial mucus-producing cells is compensated here by the presence of many small
serous (olfactory) glands (SG) in the lamina propria of this mucosa. Revise the ultrastructure
Overview

OM

of the olfactory sensory cells and describe their apical specializations that are responsible for
chemical analysis of gases and depolarization response of these cells.

OM

SG

Revise also virtual


Sl.92-Nasal_Cavity.vsi
(Practical n. 16) and
compare once more the
olfactory and respiratory
mucosa in nasal cavity.

OM

SG
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11. Skin, Meissners corpuscles, (Sl.55C-Skin_Thick_Meissner.vsi), section, H&E stain.


In the virtual slide Sl.55C-Skin_Thick_Meissner.vsi you can revise the structure of epidermis
(E) and dermis (D) and hypodermis (H) of a thick skin. Find encapsulated tactile Meissners
corpuscles (MC) located in tips of dermal papillae, presented as small oval-shaped bodies of
layered structure. The afferent axon itself is not specifically stained in this H&E staining and
so not visible.

Overview

MC

MC

MC

D
Revise also virtual slide Sl.55B-Skin_Plantar.vsi.

MC

MEISSNERS CORPUSCLE (MC), schematic figure.

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12. Skin, Pacinian corpuscles, (Sl.55-Skin_Palmar.vsi), section, H&E stain.


Pacinian corpuscle (PC) is another type of encapsulated sensory body that mediates
sensations of deep pressure. It can be found in deep layers of the skin and also in
parenchyma of pancreas. Revise the virtual slide Sl.55-Skin_Palmar.vsi that you already
studied in practical n. 17 and look for this type of Pacinian corpuscles in the deep dermis
(D) and hypodermis (H) border areas. There are two of them there (arrows) located close to
large blood vessels (BV) that supply the skin with blood. Note their lamellar structure
surrounding central axon. The entire corpuscle is surrounded with a thin capsule.
Overview

D
D
PC
PC
H

BV
PC
BV

PC
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13. In these demonstration micrographs, study the structure of proprioreceptors (muscle


spindles, Golgi tendon organ) and with the help of the textbook explain their function.

MUSCLE SPINDLE
GOLGI TENDON ORGAN

14. Virtual slides available on internet.


In your free time, study the virtual slides n. 82 and 116 available on Annotated Virtual
Laboratory website http://www.path.uiowa.edu/cgi-bin-pub/vs/vl_browse.cgi?cat=h_eye.
Take also the Histology Practice Quiz there.

Websites:
http://virtualslides.med.umich.edu/Histology/Central%20Nervous%20System/EAR1_HISTO_40X.svs/view.apml?cwidth=800&cheight=485&chost=virtualslides.med.umich.edu&csis=1
http://medsci.indiana.edu/a215/virtualscope/docs/chap6_8.htm
http://www.lab.anhb.uwa.edu.au/mb140/CorePages/Muscle/Muscle.htm#spindle
http://www.siumed.edu/~dking2/ssb/ear.htm
http://biology.clc.uc.edu/fankhauser/Labs/Anatomy_&_Physiology/A&P202/Special_Senses/Histology_Ear.htm
http://www.bu.edu/histology/m/t_eye.htm
http://webvision.med.utah.edu/sretina.html
http://biology.clc.uc.edu/fankhauser/labs/anatomy_&_physiology/a&p202/special_senses/eye/histology_eye.htm
http://www.histology-world.com/photoalbum/thumbnails.php?album=21
http://www.meded.virginia.edu/public/CourseSitesDocs/CellandTissueStructure/handouts/unrestricted/original/MMHndt_Eye.html
http://download.videohelp.com/vitualis/med/Eye_Histology.html

Text and figures by Dr. Kraj D. - 12/2010

23- SENSES Practical-EN1.docx

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