Outcome 3

Question 1

Specimen is cut into thin, translucent tissue slices. The microanatomy is retained and the relationship of cells is still demonstrated.

Answer 1

Sectional Methods

Question 2

Cut side of tissue is touched to the slide, forming an imprint. This is used to detect malignancies or when a microorganism is suspected.

Answer 2

Touch Preparation

Question 3

Cells suspended in their own fluid may be examined directly using the mic.

Answer 3

Fresh Cells

Question 4

Tissue is teased apart for examination of individual cells; mostly applicable to research.

Answer 4

Dissociation

Question 5

Cell may be “fixed” to a slide for preservation of their appearance. Usually stained and may be mounted before examination.

Answer 5

Fluid Spread on Slide

Question 6

Initial macroscopic examination of the specimen by a pathologist/technologist.

Answer 6

Gross Examination

Question 7

Routinely used to examine tissue sections.

Answer 7

Brightfield Mic

Question 8

Useful in identifying birefringent materials in tissue.

Answer 8

Polarizing Mic

Question 9

Used in immunohistochemistry where antigens in tissue are demonstrated; can be used to identify TB.

Answer 9

Fluorescent Mic

Question 10

Magnification of approx. 200,000 times; may be used for kidney biopsies (example).

Answer 10

Electron Mic

Question 11

Dictate the processes a specimen goes through in a typical anatomical pathology lab.

Answer 11

Fixation – Accessioning – Gross Dissection – Processing – Embedding – Sectioning – Staining – Mounting

Question 12

Fixation

Answer 12

Tissue is immersed in fixative immediately after collection for tissue preservation.

Question 13

Accessioning

Answer 13

Specimen rec’d in the lab are given an accession # for specimen tracking while in lab.

Question 14

Gross Dissection

Answer 14

Tissue is examined and clearly described for the health record; tissue is then grossed and placed into cassettes.

Question 15

Processing

Answer 15

Tissue is chemically treated to prep it for paraffin wax embedding.

Question 16

Embedding

Answer 16

Tissue is inlaid in paraffin wax to provide support during sectioning.

Question 17

Sectioning

Answer 17

Tissue is sliced, producing uniform, very thin slices and placed on a glass slide.

Question 18

Staining

Answer 18

Tissue is treated with dyes to enhance various components.

Question 19

Mounting

Answer 19

Tissue is preserved on slide using resin and coverslip resulting in a permanent preparation.

Question 20

Hematoxylin : Eosin

Answer 20

Cell Nuclei : Cell Cytoplasm

Question 21

This is the foundation for subsequent stages in preparation of tissue for diagnosis.

Answer 21

Fixation

Question 22

Give 5 examples of the purposes of fixation.

Answer 22

Prevent desiccation, prevent osmotic swelling and shrinkage, prevent putrefaction, prevent autolysis, tissue becomes firmer and easier to cut, tissue elements are stabilized, tissue constituents are more easily stained, refractive index of cellular components is changed

Question 23

A self-digestion caused after cell death by the action of intracellular enzymes causing the breakdown of protein and eventual cell liquefaction.

Answer 23

Autolysis

Question 24

What factors affect autolysis?

Answer 24

Temperature, cell type, and speed of decomposition is proportional to the natural metabolic activity of the tissue (increase metabolic activity, increase decomposition)

Question 25

Describe the microscopic appearance of an autolysed cell.

Answer 25

Cell nucleus is either in pyknosis (condensed), karyorrhexis (fragmented or lysed), or karyolysis (eventual disappearance). Cytoplasm is swollen and granular. Overall effect on cell is its granular with a homogenous mass with altered staining reactions.

Question 26

What is putrefaction?

Answer 26

Bacterial decomposition, often with gas prod, leading to eventual liquefaction.