What do you call the study of structures too small to be seen by the naked eye?

The study of structures too small to be seen by the naked eye is referred to as microscopic anatomy. This branch of anatomy focuses on the examination of tissues and cells using a microscope, allowing for a detailed understanding of the organization and function of these small-scale structures. Histology, often used interchangeably with microscopic anatomy, specifically emphasizes the study of the microscopic structure of tissues. While both terms relate closely, microscopic anatomy can encompass a broader range of studies, including the cellular level.

Gross anatomy, on the other hand, pertains to structures that can be observed without the aid of a microscope, such as organs and large body systems. Pathology is the study of disease and its effects on the body, which may involve changes at both microscopic and macroscopic levels. Hence, the term that best defines the study of structures that require magnification to be seen clearly is microscopic anatomy.