Histology, Embryology, and Genetics

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Welcome to Histology, Embryology, and Genetics!

Histology, or microscopic anatomy, studies the morphology of cells, tissues and organs with considerable emphasis placed on the structure/function relationship.  Laboratory sessions are electronic rather than microscope based.  Histology is embedded within the anatomy course, and material is presented in each systems-based block.

Embryology is the study of the fundamental mechanisms underlying normal developmental processes.  Early embryology, from fertilization through cranial/caudal and lateral folding, is studied in Block 1.   The embryology of each organ system is taught within the anatomy course in each system-based block.  While this discipline does look at some of the mechanisms that result in abnormal development, much of the congenital malformations are presented in the pediatrics curriculum.

The sub-discipline of genetics focuses on Mendelian inheritance, non-Mendelian inheritance, population genetics and cytogenetics.  This curriculum is combined with introductory embryology in a Block 1 course.  Molecular genetics is taught within the Cellular Biology and Physiology curriculum in Block 1.   Genetic diseases are taught within Pediatrics or Medicine lectures within the appropriate system-based block.