Foundations of Anatomical Pathology Flashcards

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1
Q

Explain Histopathology in your own words.

A

The microscopic examination of tissue to

to determine the cause of disease

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2
Q

List some of the hazards associated with working in a Histopathology laboratory.

A
  • Chemical: fixatives, stains, chemicals
  • Physical: sharps, radiation
  • Biological: cross infection
  • PPE must be worn
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3
Q

Explain what a fixative does and list some features of an ideal fixative.

A
  • A fixative prevents a histological/cytological sample from decaying

Features:

  • Will preserve tissue in life like manner
  • Will not add artefact material to tissue
  • Will not swell or shrink tissue
  • Will be safe for user and environment
  • Has convenient shelf life and storage
  • Is economical
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4
Q

What fixative/s can be used for Cytology smears?

A

Alcohol (ethanol and methanol)

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5
Q

List physical agents that can be used to assist in the fixation of tissues.

A
  • Microwaves
  • Heat
  • Ultrasound
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6
Q

True or false: Autolysis represents the changes to tissue that occur before fixation due to bacterial contamination.

A

True

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7
Q

What type of fixative is Neutral Buffered Formalin classed as?

A

A formalin (formaldehyde) fixative

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8
Q

Why is Formalin Buffered to a neutral pH?

A

The further a fixative is from the pH of body tissues the more distortion you can get in the tissue at the cellular level.

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9
Q

Give an example of a Chemical Fixative that belongs to each of the following groups (one example for each group). Aldehydes, Oxidising Agents, Protein Coagulants, Uncertain Mechanism.

A

Aldehydes:
- Formaldehyde, Glutaraldehyde

Oxidising agents:
- Osmium tetroxide, Potassium Dichromate

Protein coagulants:
- Ethanol, Methanol

Uncertain mechanism:
- Mercuric Chloride, Picric acid

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10
Q

What is the function of xylene in tissue processing?

A

It make the paraffin wax soluble so that the sample can be embedded in it and sections of the sample can be cut

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11
Q

Why is the histological section cut to approximately 5µm thick?

A
  • Sample needs to be thin enough for light microscopy (about 1 cell layer thick)
  • makes it easier to evaluate tissue and look at its morphology
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12
Q

List method/s used for the collection of Cytology samples.

A
  • Pap Smears, Endoscopy samples, some

FNA (fine needle aspiration) specimens

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13
Q

Compare the advantages and disadvantages of Histopathology with Cytopathology.

A

Cytology:

  • Less invasive process
  • Faster
  • Cheaper

Histopathology:

  • Can observe tissue as a whole instead of individual cells to determine cause of disease
  • More detailed and easier to diagnose diseases from
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