Which term refers to the study of the microscopic structure of tissues?

The study of the microscopic structure of tissues is referred to as histology. This field focuses on examining tissue samples under a microscope to understand their composition, organization, and function. Histology is crucial for identifying various tissue types and understanding how they relate to overall body functions and systems. It is particularly important in fields like medicine and biology, as it provides insights into cellular structures and can help diagnose diseases based on tissue abnormalities.

Anatomy, in contrast, is the broader study of the structure of organisms and their parts, which includes both macroscopic and microscopic structures. Cytology focuses specifically on the study of individual cells, while physiology deals with the functions of living organisms and their parts. Each of these disciplines plays a vital role in the overall understanding of biological systems, but histology is the term that is specifically dedicated to the microscopic study of tissue structures.