Healthc Inform Res.  2021 Apr;27(2):146-152. 10.4258/hir.2021.27.2.146.

Histoscope: A Web-Based Microscopy Tool for Oral Histology Education

• Sharmin N
• Chow AK
• Dong AS
• Milos NC

• KMID: 2515917
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4258/hir.2021.27.2.146

Abstract

Objectives
Histology, the study of tissue structure under a microscope, is one of the most essential yet least engaging topics for health professional students. Understanding tissue microanatomy is crucial for students to be able to recognize cellular structures and follow disease pathogenesis. Traditional histology teaching labs rely on light microscopes and a limited array of slides, which inhibits simultaneous observation by multiple learners, and prevents in-class discussions. We have developed an interactive web-based microscopy tool called “Histoscope” for oral histology in this context.
Methods
Good quality microscope slides were selected for digital scanning. The slides were scanned with multiple layers of z-stacking, a method of taking multiple images at different focal distances. The digital images were checked for quality and were archived on Histoscope. The slides were annotated, and self-assessment questions were prepared for the website. Interactive components were programmed on the website to mimic the experience of using a real light microscope.
Results
This web-based tool allows users to interact with histology slides, replicating the experience of observing and manipulating a slide under a real microscope. Through this website, learners can access a broad array of digital oral histology slides and self-assessment questions.
Conclusions
Incorporation of Histoscope in a course can shift traditional teacher-centered histology learning to a collaborative and student-centered learning environment. This platform can also provide students the flexibility to study histology at their own pace.

Keyword

Histology; Education; Web-Based Microscope; Self-Assessment; Dental Education

Figure

• 

  Figure 1 Snapshots from the Histoscope website. (A, B) The contents of the website are organized under six tabs. (B) Digital slides are arranged in 15 groups under the “Slide Gallery” tab. (C) Snapshot of a slide showing the cross-section of a dental root. (D) Sample question from the Self-Assessment section of the website (D).

• 

  Figure 2 Application of z-stacking to provide in-focus images in high magnification. The slide collection of Histoscope was scanned using the z-stacking technique to allow the ability to magnify the digital slides and still get an entirely focused, high-resolution field-of-view. (A–C) A tissue section of a salivary gland, gradually magnified from low (A) to higher (B, C) magnification. The red box in the inset of each slide indicates the viewing area (arrow) and the scale bar at the bottom left shows the degree of magnification of the slide (arrow). The black box in the middle indicates the area that was being magnified. As the slides are viewed under higher magnification, the scale bar changes (from 2 mm to 100 μm), and the red box in the inset becomes smaller. Z-stacking enables the user to observe structural details under a higher magnification, mimicking the experience of using a light microscope.

• 

  Figure 3 Snapshot from the slide viewer of Histoscope. The user can activate the inset box on the upper-right corner of the slide viewer simply by the mouse pointer’s motion. While zooming in, the inset shows a box outlined in red, delineating the exact position of the area being viewed on-screen with respect to the entire viewable field. The control bar in the upper-left corner allows the user the zoom in, zoom out, rotate, and toggle to full-screen mood. “Show Labels” and “Hide Labels” allow users to show or hide the slide annotations.

Reference

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