The Histology Laboratory and Principles of Microscope Instrumentation

As illustrated in earlier chapters, bone histology has many known applications in biological anthropology, forensic sciences, biomedicine, and biomechanics, to name a few. This chapter is geared toward the novice who has interests in studying skeletal tissue through histological means. Basic instrumentation and consumables necessary for a histology laboratory are addressed, followed by principles of light microscopy. It is essential for the practitioner to properly use and maintain the equipment for sample preparation and know how a microscope operates to correctly observe and collect histological data.