Parts of the microscope and their functions

Located below the stage, this part of the microscope adjusts the amount of light that passes through the slide.

• Base

• Diaphragm

• Nosepiece

• Objectives

This part reflects light from a source up through the stage to the specimen.

• Arm

• Body Tube

• Mirror/Illuminator

• Stage Clips

This is a small platform where the slide being viewed is placed.

• Arm

• Body Tube

• Objective

• Stage

This holds the eyepiece and connects it to the objectives.

• Body Tube

• Diaphragm

• Mirror

• Tilt Joint

Located at the bottom, this part is used to support the whole microscope.

• Base

• Coarse Adjustment

• Objective

• Stage

This knob located at the side is used for fine focusing, so as to get a clearer view of the specimen.

• Coarse Adjustment

• Fine Adjustment

• Stage Clip

• Tilt Joint

This is located on the stage and used to hold the slide in place.

• Body Tube

• Fine Adjustment

• Stage Clip

• Tilt Joint

This knob located at the side moves the stage up and down while focusing and scanning the specimen in the slide.

• Coarse Adjustment

• Fine Adjustment

• Revolving Nosepiece

• Stage Clip

Also called oculars, this part of the microscope is used to view an object magnified up to 10x in a microscope.

• Arm

• Base

• Coarse Adjustment

• Eyepiece

Supports the body tube and connects it to the base.

• Arm

• Body Tube

• Objective

• Stage