Toward a new histology

Amazingly, histology has remained the same as the world has changed. Histologists are in thrall to Virchow but he is only histology's patron saint; he is not its deity. Let us break the bonds of epithelia, connective tissue, muscle, and nerve that bind histologists to an arcane nomenclature! Certainly, germ, blood, and lymphatic cells are entitled to recognition as tissues. Above all, different mechanisms of development should be incorporated into a new histological nomenclature, and, where possible, the evolution of tissues should be acknowledged among their identifying features. Genomics and informatics will provide data, but histologists must provide the impetus! Please join me in creating a rational new histology where tissues are named, discussed, understood, and taught in ways that reflect what is known and not merely what was known.