A compound_microscope is a microscope with more than one lens. On a compound microscope, one lens is near the eye and is therefore termed the ocular lens. Other lenses are positioned on a rotating structure known as the nosepiece, which allows them to be moved in and out of viewing position. These lenses are termed objective lenses. Some compound microscopes have two oculars and are therefore called stereomicroscopes (binocular_microscopes).

Some stereomicroscopes are dissecting_microscopes, which are used for viewing objects in a dish of water, or organisms that are being dissected. Dissecting microscopes do not have a rotating nosepiece and their stage is distanced from their objective lens to allow sufficient space for placing large objects in position for viewing.