Histopathology Flashcards
deals with processing and preparation of tissue and cell samples for microscopic examination by the pathologist
Histopathology
to produce well-preserved and adequately processed tissue sections that will enable the pathologist to make a proper interpretation and diagnosis of a disease.
histotechnologist
Steps in routine tissue processing
Fixation, dehydration, clearing, infiltration, embedding, trimming, microtomy, staining, mounting, labelling
Preserving the tissue specimen in as lifelike a manner as possible
Fixation
Routine fixative
10% formalin
Process of removing water from the
specimen
Dehydration
Utilizes increasing concentrations of ethyl
alcohol
Dehydration
Removing dehydrating agents from the
sample and replacing it with a fluid
miscible with wax
Clearing (De-alcoholization)
Produces a translucent appearance of
the sample
Clearing (De-alcoholization)
Routine clearing agent:
Xylene
Process where the clearing agent is
removed
Infiltration (Impregnation)
Clearing agent is replaced with a fluid
that will cover the cavities resulting in a
firmer consistency of the sample
Infiltration (Impregnation)
Routine infiltration medium:
Paraffin
The process of arranging the infiltrated
tissue inside a mold containing a
medium which is then allowed to solidify
Embedding (Casting/ Blocking)
Routine embedding medium:
Paraffin
