Embedding Flashcards
In general how should you embed everything
- Diagnostically most important side facing down
- The longest axis of the specimen should be parallel to the blade
- Always embed urgent tissues such as heart biopsies first
Only ever open one cassette at a time
How should you embedd hard tissue and why
orientate the specimen so that the blade meets the specimen at an angle -> prevents the blade ‘jumping’ when meeting the hard tissue
What should you remeber to do when embedding multiple pieces of tissue and why
- When embedding multiple pieces of tissue, anchor each piece in the mold on the cold plate one at a time and in an order so that each piece is anchored with advancement of the solidifying wax – must be done rapidly to prevent premature solidification
What should you do if there is no tissue in a cassette
○ Ask for help
○ Check embedding area for tissue
○ Check your clothes
○ Check MACRO report for details on specimen -> very small tissue won’t survive processing
○ Check processor for tissue
○ Check formalin lunch box where cassettes were stored for tissue – pass through sieve
○ Check original specimen container
If no tissue found then log a non conformance
How should you embed skin
○ Full thickness of the epithelium needs to be visualized
○ Tough surfaces such as the epithelium on the palms or soles of the feet should meet the microtome blade after any softer tissue has been cut -> otherwise the soft tissue will be compressed by the blade when it meets the hard tissue
If unsure on orientation get scientist on microtomy to check superficial -> if incorrect just melt wax and re-embed
How should you embed muscle
Both longitudinal and transverse sections are obtaine
How should you embed tubular tissue
○ Embed on end so that the lumen is clearly visible and sections can be cut through the wall and lumen
Fallopian tube, vas deferens, blood vessels and appendix
How should you embed a mucosa-covered biopsy
○ Embedded on edge so they can be cut at right angles to the surface so that full thickness of the epithelium is visualized
○ GIT