FIXATION Flashcards
Defined as the killing, penetration, and hardening of tissues
First and most critical step in tissue processing
Fixation
Fixation
Primary purpose:
Preserve the morphologic and chemical integrity of the cell in a life-like manner as possible
EFFECTS OF FIXATIVES
•______ soft tissues in preparation for further tissue processing
• Render cells resistant to____ caused by chemicals used in further processing
• Inhibit_____ caused by bacteria and fungi
• Minimize the risk of_____
• Act as_____ for certain stains, thus promoting or hastening staining, or inhibit certain dyes
• Reduce the risk of infections during handling and actual processing of tissues
Hardens
damage
decomposition
occupational infection
mordant
CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD FIXATIVE
• Cheap
• Stable
• Safe
• Quick
• Inhibits bacterial decomposition
• Produce minimum shrinkage
• Rapid and even penetration
• Hardens the tissue
• Makes cellular contents resistant to further processing
• Permit staining
FACTORS AFFECTING FIXATION
• Fixative of Choice
• Time
• Tissue to fixative ratio
• Penetration rate
• Thickness of specimen
• Tissue components
• pH
• Temperature
• Osmolality
• Agitation, vacuum
Fixative of Choice
Morphologic criteria for dx have been established based on
Formalin-Fixed Paraffin
Embedded Specimen (FFPES)
10% Neutral Buffered Formalin
Time
Must be performed as soon as possible;
_________ after blood supply is cut off
20-30 mins
Tissue-to-Fixative Ratio
•_______(tissue to fixative ratio)
1:10 or 1:20
Penetration Rate
Formalin:_____(but slows down as it goes deeper into the tissue)
1mm/hr
Thickness of Specimen
• Larger -› Longer fixation time, more fixative
• Light Microscopy:
• Electron Microscopy:
2cm2 x 0.4cm
1-2mm2
Tissue Components
• Longer Fixation time:
• Fibrous Tissue
• Mucus
• Fat
• Blood
Tissue Components
Shorter Fixation time:
Small of loosely textured tissues
рН
Optimal pH:
Use buffers
6 to 8
pH
For Electron Microscopy:
pH should match physiologic pH
• Temperature
Higher temp ->
faster fixation rate and autolysis
Optimal temp
Room temp to 45C