We are pleased to present to your attention a special issue of the Sechenov Medical Journal, dedicated to histology and cell biology, as well as related disciplines.

Histology and cell biology are fundamental branches of medical science, opening almost limitless research potential for scientists. The practical significance of new developments in this area cannot be overestimated: knowledge of structure is always inextricably linked with an understanding of normal function and possible mechanisms for its violation.

This issue presents reviews and experimental research focusing on the structure and function of various organs and tissues: the structure of the central and peripheral nervous system in normal conditions and under various factors; ways to increase the regenerative potential of mesenchymal stromal cells; structural changes in the muscle tissue of the external sphincter of the rectum against the background of hypogonadism.

It is important to note that this issue is published during the celebration of the 265th anniversary of our university, whose graduate, Russian histologist, embryologist, and physiologist Alexander Babukhin (1827–1891) devoted his life to the formation and development of the Moscow Histological School.

And today, in the context of scientific and technological progress and the availability of the latest diagnostic methods, morphological studies not only stay completely relevant but continue to actively develop, allow us to build many interdisciplinary relationships, without which scientific growth is unthinkable.

We hope that the content of this theme issue will be useful not only from the standpoint of understanding the structure of human organs and tissues but will also encourage the development of this one of the most important scientific disciplines.

Sergey L. Kuznetsov

Dr. of Sci. (Medicine), Corresponding Memberof the Russian Academy of Sciences, Academician of the Russian Academy of Natural Sciences, Member of the Presidium of the Scientific Medical Society of Anatomists, Histologists and Embryologists of Russia,Professor of the Department of Human Anatomy and Histology, Institute of Clinical Medicine named after N.V. Sklifosovsky, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University)