BLOCKING AND TRIMMING

Question 1

Step that goes hand in hand with embedding when individual molds are used; blocks are produced after solidification, and if a big mold tray is used, a sharp knife is used to separate one tissue from another

Answer 1

Blocking

Question 2

Process of removing excess wax and forming a truncated pyramid or upside prism shape around the tissue block

Answer 2

Trimming

Question 3

At least _____ of wax should surround the tissue block to allow for easy sectioning

Answer 3

2mm

Question 4

Embedded tissue is trimmed and cut into uniformly thin slices using a microtome

Answer 4

Sectioning

Question 5

Tissue blocks prior to sectioning should be

Answer 5

Cold

Question 6

Essential parts of a microtome

Answer 6

Block holder (chuck), knife carrier, knife, pawl, ratchet feed wheel, and adjustment screws

Question 7

Most popular type of rocking microtome; for large paraffin embedded blocks, not for serial sections, invented in 1881

Answer 7

Rocking microtome aka Cambridge microtome

Question 8

Simplest microtome that was invented by

Answer 8

Paldwell Trefall/Caldwell

Question 9

Rocking microtome can cut tissue sections of

Answer 9

10-12 µm

Question 10

Routinely used microtome (1885-1886); invented by Minot, cutting paraffin-embedded tissues (excellent serial sections)

Answer 10

Rotary microtome

Question 11

For celloidin sections and hard, rough tissue blocks, invented by Adams (1789/1798)

Answer 11

Sliding microtome

Question 12

Types of sliding microtome

Answer 12

Base sledge/sledge type (preferred), Standard sliding

Question 13

Base sledge/sledge type sliding microtome, knife rigidly clamped, uses long knives for brain tissues, most commonly used in neuropathology and ophthalmology

Answer 13

Base sledge/sledge type sliding microtome

Question 14

Knife is moving in this type of sliding microtome

Answer 14

Standard sliding microtome

Question 15

For frozen sections, invented by Queckett in 1848, uses CO2 as a propellant

Answer 15

Freezing microtome

Question 16

Type of microtome for rush frozen sections, commonly used, refrigerated at -5°C to -30°C, typically -20°C

Answer 16

Cryostat or cold microtome

Question 17

Inside a cryostat, this microtome is used for frozen sectioning

Answer 17

Rotary microtome

Question 18

Time it takes for the knife in a cryostat to come to operating temperature

Answer 18

1 hour

Question 19

Used to clean the knife in cryostat sectioning

Answer 19

Soft tissue paper moistened with alcohol

Question 20

Prevents frozen sections from curling upwards during sectioning; usually made of plexiglass or plastic

Answer 20

Anti-roll plate

Question 21

Primarily used for electron microscopy (EM); cuts sections as thin as 0.5 µm (50 nm), tissues are embedded in plastic, uses a diamond knife

Answer 21

Ultrathin microtome

Question 22

Microtome used for enzyme histochemistry

Answer 22

Vibratome

Question 23

Microtome used for very hard materials (e.g., undecalcified bone); tissue embedded in resins

Answer 23

Saw microtome