Slide 4. Cell borders of omentum, silver impregnation
Explains how silver impregnation of the omentum reveals the borders of its mesothelial cells, which show up as a black mosaic of wavy lines around pale, barely visible nuclei. Describes the flat whole-mount view that makes the cells look polygonal, and contrasts it with a sectioned squamous epithelium that appears as thin lines with bulging nuclei.
Inside: 1 section · 1 min
Topic 93 of 127 in the MU Sofia syllabus for Cytology (Dental Medicine, Year 1). The free AceMed note covers it in 1 section, about 113 words (1 min of reading).
In this note
Introduction
Introduction
The omentum is spread flat and viewed from its surface, so you look straight down on simple squamous epithelium (mesothelium).
Stain
Silver impregnation: silver settles along the cell borders and turns them black; the cells themselves stay pale yellow-brown.
How to recognise it
A mosaic of thin black lines outlining polygonal cells.
The borders are slightly wavy, so neighbouring cells fit together like a puzzle.
Nuclei are pale or hardly visible, because the stain marks only the borders.
Don't confuse it with: a section of squamous epithelium, where the flat cells are cut on edge and look like thin lines with bulging nuclei.
Theory: topics 16 (intercellular junctions) and 37 (simple surface epithelia).
Read the full note free
The whole note is free with an AceMed account. Premium adds flashcard recall, highlights and Ask AI.
