What is the Difference Between Cytology and Histology

The main difference between cytology and histology is that cytology is the study of chemistry, structure, and function of animal and plant cells, whereas histology is the study of chemical composition, microscopic structure, and function of tissue and tissue systems. Furthermore, cytology is a narrow study area, while histology is a wide study area.  

Cytology and histology are two types of areas in biology, studying the chemistry, structure, and function of different units of life. 

Key Areas Covered 

1. What is Cytology
     – Definition, Type of Study, Importance
2. What is Histology
     – Definition, Type of Study, Importance 
3. What are the Similarities Between Cytology and Histology
     – Outline of Common Features
4. What is the Difference Between Cytology and Histology
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms 

Cytogenetics, Cytology, Cytopathology, Histology, Histopathology

What is Cytology 

Cytology is the microscopic examination of both animal and plant cell samples in terms of chemical compo, structure, and function. Generally, cytology has three main branches related to other study areas. They are cell biology, cytogenetics, and cytopathology. Basically, cell biology studies the structure, constituents, physiological features, function, interactions, life cycle, division, and death of cells. Moreover, both cytogenetics and cytopathology study cellular diseases. However, cytogenetics studies the genetic basis of cellular diseases. On the other hand, cytopathology studies the structural and functional properties of cellular diseases.

Figure 1: Hodgkin Lymphoma Cytology

What is Histology

Histology is the study of the chemical composition, structure, and function of both animal and plant tissues. It is also a microscopic examination of samples. However, the preparation of slides is a more complicated process in histology. Generally, it has five steps: fixing, processing, embedding, sectioning, and staining. Sometimes, the cells in tissues are isolated and maintained in an artificial environment for various research projects in a process called tissue culture. 

Figure 2: Histology of Chronic Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis

Furthermore, histology is a key area in medicine to study the properties of diseases. Therefore, histopathology is a branch of histology which studies diseased tissues. 

Similarities Between Cytology and Histology 

• Cytology and histology are two areas in biology, studying the chemical composition, structure, and function of different biological units. 
• Both study the microscopic anatomy of cells. 
• They are important for the diagnosis of diseases. 

Difference Between Cytology and Histology 

Definition 

Cytology refers to the branches of biology and medicine concerned with the structure and function of plant and animal cells, while histology refers to the study of the microscopic structure of tissues. 

Scope 

Furthermore, cytology is a narrow study area, while histology is a wide study area. 

Slide Preparation 

The slide preparation in cytology is simple, while the slide preparation in histology is a complex process. 

Significance 

Cytology only studies the cellular areas of cells while histology studies the architecture of tissues. 

Cost 

Moreover, cytological techniques are less expensive, while histological techniques are more expensive. 

Conclusion 

Cytology is an area of biology, studying the structures of both animal and plant cells. Moreover, it studies the functions of different cellular structures. On the other hand, histology is another area of biology, studying the chemical composition, structure, and function of tissues. However, it is a more complex area than cytology. Therefore, the main difference between cytology and histology is the type of study. 

References:

1. Stoewen, Debbie. “Cytology, Biopsy, and Histopathology.” VCA, VCA Hospitals, Available Here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Hodgkin lymphoma cytology large” By Nephron – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia  
2. “Histology of chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis” By Mutleysmith – Taken with a microscope for educationPreviously published: No (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia