The source for this specimen should be obvious (and confidently
so), provided you are familiar with the organ it represents. The
sample is normal, not pathological.
- In what parts of the body does a nonkeratinized stratified squamous
epithelium occur? (arrow 1)
- Where does such a stratified squamous epithelium turn inward to
form conspicuous crevices? (arrow 2)
- Note that within the deep crevices (2 and 3) the epithelium
becomes obscured by infiltration with many small cells. What
are these small cells, and what are they doing here?
- Note the extremely numerous small cells with small round nuclei
throughout the solid portion of the specimen. Observe that these
cells are organized into prominent pale patches (arrow 4) with
darker, more-densely-packed caps. (Again, what are these small
cells, and what are they doing?)
- Finally, note that the deep, supporting tissue includes not only
fibrous connective tissue but also striated muscle (arrow 5).
This slide should be easy. The presence of so many
lymph nodules in a site covered by stratified squamous epithelium with
deep crevices is characteristic of only one region. Other details
of infiltrating cells and deeper tissues are consistent with this site.
No more hints.
