DECALCIFICATION

Question 1

done after fixation

Answer 1

decalcification

Question 2

types of decalcifying agents

Answer 2

acids, chelating agents, ion exchange resins. electrophoresis

Question 3

widely used for routine decalcification

Answer 3

acid decalcifying agents

Question 4

most common/routinely used decalcifying agent

Answer 4

nitric acid (5-10%)

Question 5

rapid decalcifying agent

Answer 5

nitric acid

Question 6

• rapid
• for urgent biopsies
• contains formalin
• less tissue destruction

Answer 6

formol nitric acid

Question 7

decalcifies and softens tissues at the same time

Answer 7

perenyi’s fluid

Question 8

most rapid decalcifying agent (12-24 hrs)

Answer 8

Phloroglucin Nitric Acid

Question 9

slower and produces more distortion in comparison to HNO3

Answer 9

HCl

Question 10

contains 36% NaCl; recommended for teeth and small pieces pf bones

Answer 10

Von Ebner’s

Question 11

recommended for routine decalcification of post mortem research tissues

Answer 11

formic acid

Question 12

both a fixative and decalcifying agent

Answer 12

formic acid

Question 13

has better nuclear staining as compared to nitric acid

Answer 13

formic acid sodium citrate solution

Question 14

recommended for autopsy materials, BM, cartilage, and tissue for research

Answer 14

formic acid sodium citrate solution

Question 15

weak decalcifying agent and fixative

Answer 15

TCA

Question 16

weak decalcifying agent and only for minute pieces of bone

Answer 16

sulfurous acid

Question 17

both a fixative and a decalcifying agent

Answer 17

chromic acid

Question 18

an oxidizing agent; carcinogenic

Answer 18

chromic acid

Question 19

commonly used chelating agent

Answer 19

EDTA (Versene)

Question 20

hastens decalcification by using formic acid containing decalcifying solutions

Answer 20

ion exchange resin

Question 21

complete decalcification of ion exchange resin can be measured by using _______________

Answer 21

Physical or Xray method

Question 22

bending or touching the tissue, using a needle; prone to produce artifacts and may destroy cellular details

Answer 22

physical/mechanical test

Question 23

very expensive but the most ideal; not for mercuric chloride fixed tissues

Answer 23

xray method

Question 24

simple, reliable, and convenient

Answer 24

chemical method (aka calcium oxalate)

Question 25

tissue softeners

Answer 25

• perenyi’s
• lendrum’s
• molliflex
• 2% HCl
• 1% HCl in 70% alcohol

Question 26

decalcifying and tissue softener

Answer 26

perenyi’s