Book excerpt: This text serves to introduce students to histology. It provides a thorough and current treatment of the structure, organization and function of the basic tissue types of the body as well as the organ systems which are organized from the basic tissues. The text presents a more modern, cell biological emphasis on the subject, while also bringing out the clinical correlations of histology in every chapter. Text material is frequently summarized in the many charts, tables and diagrams that are distributed throughout the book. The organization is intended to facilitate the rapid transfer of information from the book to the student. The book is written for medical and dental students as well as other professionals who are introduced to histology during their first year of professional schooling. It is also intended to serve the needs of advanced undergraduates who often take such a course in preparation for professional schools. The book contains limited amounts of biochemistry, physiology, endocrinology and neurobiology, but a sufficient amount of material so that the student can correlate functional information to the microscopic organization of tissues and organs. Hopefully, this mix will permit maximum learning and understanding of structure-function relationships. Since the students who first encounters histology is typically introduced to a large body of information in a limited time period, we have sought to maximize the rapid transfer of information by the extensive use of summary type tables, charts and drawings. In addition, a central portion of the book contains a limited number of color illustrations which will permit the student to view and recognize stained sections of tissues and organs. The color atlas should facilitate the student's view of laboratory work.