On the welcome page of the dictionary, three major sections are shown: Normal tissues, Cancer and Cell structure. Below the image of each section are links to introductory texts for i) normal tissue histology, ii) hallmarks of cancer, and iii) cell structure overview. For the cancer-section there is also a link to current cancer statistics (incidence, survival, etc) for Sweden and the rest of the world. Within each section there are direct links to histology descriptions of different tissue types and tumor forms as well as descriptions of cell structures.
For the 'Tissue & cell types' and 'Tumor' sections, tissue-slides stained with hematoxylin and eosin (HE) are shown at three different levels of magnification. On the top level, an overview of the whole tissue-sample is shown with boxes in black indicating where zoomed-in representative parts of the tissue are available for viewing. Clicking on these boxes will zoom in on that part to show tissue structures, cells and features in greater detail. Throughout these sections, arrows indicate relevant tissue structures, cell-types and other features.
For the 'Cell structure' section, immunofluorescent images of formaldehyde-fixed cell lines are shown. The various cell structures that are demonstrated are always shown in the green channel using an antibody found in the Human Protein Atlas. The antibody name is linked to the subcellular location summary page of the target gene. The other channels: nucleus, microtubules and endoplasmic reticulum, are always shown in the blue, red and yellow channels, respectively. The channels can be toggled on and off by clicking on the respective coloured button above the image. When applicable, the immunofluorescent images are complemented by immunohistochemically stained cells where the location of the particular cell structure is shown in brown.
A common feature for all sections is that a general descriptive text about the tissue, tumor-type or cell structure is provided when browsing a particular topic.
The adrenal glands are small endocrine glands with triangular to semi lunar shape. They are located right on top of the kidneys and are enveloped by a fibrous capsule surrounded by adipose tissue. Each gland has two parts, the adrenal cortex and the adrenal medulla.
The adrenal cortex secretes corticosteroids and androgens and consists of three layers, namely zona glomerulosa, zona fasciculata and zona reticularis.
The cells of the outermost layer, zona glomerulosa, produce aldosterone which function in the control of blood pressure. The cells are cuboidal to columnar in shape and arranged in rounded clumps, glomeruli, surrounded by sinusoid capillaries. The round cell nucleus is darkly stained and the cytoplasm is acidophilic.
The middle zona fasciculata is the broadest layer and consists of cells that produce glucocorticoids. The cells are arranged in parallel cords, surrounded by sinusoid capillaries. The shapes of the cells are cuboidal or polygonal with a poorly stained cytoplasm. Within the cells lipid droplets are seen, giving the cells a foamy appearance. The nucleus is round and darkly stained.
The inner zona reticularis consists of cells arranged in anastomosing cords, giving it a reticular pattern. These cells produce weak androgens and some glucocorticoids. The cells of the zona reticularis are smaller and darker stained than the ones in zona fasciculata.
The adrenal medulla is made up of nervous tissue and secretes catecholamines in response to neuronal signals. The cells of the adrenal medulla are innervated by presynaptic sympathetic neurons and release the cathecolamines norepinephrine and epinephrine on direct response to nerve impulses. These chromaffin cells in the medulla are lightly stained basophilic cells that are arranged in ovoid clusters in close proximity to capillaries.
