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A. Question Bank > (PALM 306) Exam 1 objectives > Flashcards

(PALM 306) Exam 1 objectives Flashcards

Microtomes and Sectioning Microtomy Trouble Shooting Artifacts Embedding

1
Q

Purpose of a rotary/automated microtome

A

Used for sectioning of glycol methacrylate and paraffin

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2
Q

Discuss the components of a rotary and automated microtome and their functions

A

Course adjustment

Trimming/sectioning settings

Section thickness

Drive wheel and speed (can also be used manually)

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3
Q

advantages of an automated microtome

A

Consistant speed

Reduced microtomy artifacts

Reduced repetitive motion injuries

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4
Q

disadvantages of an automated microtome

A

Cost

Learning curve/skill level involved

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5
Q

Routine maintenance of a rotary and automated microtome

A

ALWAYS REMOVE BLADE

Remove all paraffin with a brush or gauze

Document any maintenance or repair

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6
Q

different types of microtome blades

A

Permanent/Steel

Disposable stainless steel

Glass knifes

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7
Q

Permanent/Steel blades

A

Can’t be used in all microtomes

Must be sharpened

Reusable

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8
Q

Disposable stainless steel

A

Low profile (The ones we use)
more narrow

High profile
Wide

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9
Q

Glass knife

A

Electron microscopy

Cutting resin (reusable)

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10
Q

Clearance angle

A

Blade angle as compared to block face

determined by the bevel angle of the blade and the type of microtome

1-10 set between 3-8

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11
Q

Bevel Angle

A

The intersection of the 2 cutting facets of a microtome blade

28-32° depending on the manufacturer

DETERMINES THE CLEARANCE ANGLE

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12
Q

Micron (μm)

A

0.001 millimeter

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13
Q

reason and methods for hydrating and chilling a tissue block

A

Reason: Reintroduces water and limits the amount of artifacts present

chilling hardens the paraffin polymers

Methods: cold plate

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14
Q

The appropriate temperature setting for a water bath and instances when you may need to make adjustments

A

General range 5-10 below melting point of paraffin so around 42-50

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15
Q

purpose of water bath additives/adhesives and charged/plus slides and provide examples

A

Help sections adhere to slides

Examples:

Gelatin, Agar, Elmers Glue (old school), commercially prepared additives

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16
Q

Recall the purpose of slide drying

A

Facilitates water removal

Evaporation from underneath section

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17
Q

Appearance of a completely dried section

A

Tissue will turn opaque when completely dry

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18
Q

micron requirements for routine microtomy

A

3-5

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19
Q

micron requirements for CNS tissue

A

8-10

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20
Q

micron requirements for kidney biopsy

A

2-3

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21
Q

micron requirements for lymph nodes

A

3-4

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22
Q

The terms micrometers or microns and the abbreviation µm used in microtomy refer to:

A

section thickness

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23
Q

Nuclear distortion is seen microscopically in tissue sections from slides dried in one rack. Which of the following is the most likely cause?

A

The slide oven is too hot

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24
Q

A dull blade, too little clearance angle, paraffin accumulation on the knife, and a warm block may all be causes of this type of microtomy artifact

A

Compression

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25
Q

The function of the microtome advance (course adjustment) wheel is to:

A

move the chuck forward and backward

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26
Q

The function of the microtome advance (course adjustment) wheel is to:

A

move the chuck forward and backward

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27
Q

Which of the following artifacts is caused by contamination of the waterbath?

A

Floaters

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28
Q

When using a slide dryer to dry slides, what should determine the temperature setting of the oven?

A

The melting point of the paraffin

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29
Q

All H&E stained slides from the same rack exhibit nuclear bubbling artifact. It was confirmed that the tissue was adequately fixed. What can be done to prevent this from happening in the future?

A

Lower the temperature of the slide dryer/oven

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30
Q

Which type of microtome would be used for routine paraffin sectioning.

A

Rotary or automated

31
Q

Which of the following would likely cause a knife line in a paraffin section?

A

Debris on the knife edge

32
Q

Tissue sections floated on a waterbath that is too cool are likely to have this artifact.

A

Wrinkles

33
Q

Which of the following will most likely be corrected by soaking a faced block in ice water?

A

Microscopic Chatter

33
Q

Which of the following will most likely be corrected by soaking a faced block in ice water?

A

Microscopic Chatter

34
Q

Which of the following is likely to cause sections to lift from the blade during microtomy?

A

Clearance angle is too low

35
Q

What is the function of the microtome drive wheel?

A

It moves the chuck up and down

36
Q

The correct temperature of the waterbath is determined by the melting point of paraffin.

A

True

37
Q

Tissue fragmentation or separation can be caused by:

A

Incomplete fixation or processing

38
Q

Which of the following would be an ergonomic method to reduce MSDs during microtomy?

A
  • Use your whole arm to rotate the drive wheel
  • Adjust chair appropriately
  • Stretch often
39
Q

The clearance angle is determined by:

A

The bevel angle and type of microtome

40
Q

Of the following, which of the following is the best definition of facing?

A

Initial block surfacing

41
Q

In reference to microtomy, what is the definition of sectioning?

A

Producing tissue at appropriate thickness for microscopy

42
Q

Define levels, as it applies to microtomy.

A

Skipping a variable number of tissue sections between sections selected for staining

43
Q

The overuse of freeze spray on a paraffin block can cause:

A

Cracks in the paraffin

44
Q

The temperature of a waterbath should be how many degrees below the melting point of paraffin?

A

5º-10ºC

45
Q

The benefit of using positively charged slides is to:

A

eliminate the use of waterbath adhesives

46
Q

In reference to microtomy, what is the clearance angle?

A

The angle of the blade in relation to the block face

47
Q

In reference to microtomy, what is the clearance angle?

A

The angle of the blade in relation to the block face

48
Q

When placing a section onto a slide, you should align the edge of the paraffin and not the tissue.

A

False

49
Q

A ribbon will not form at sectioning. Which of the following could be a cause?

A
  • Clearance angle to high
  • Dull or dirty blade
  • Loose microtome lever
50
Q

When sectioning dense fibrous tissue, what waterbath temperature adjustment may be necessary?

A

No adjustment would be needed

51
Q

Which of the following tissue types would require less hydration?

A

Breast

52
Q

Keeping the block edge parallel to the blade will prevent:

A

A crooked Ribbon

53
Q

Increased background staining is observed on a stained slide. Which of the following is the most likely cause?

A

Excessive adhesive in the waterbath

54
Q

Which of the following tissues would most likely be sectioned at 2-3 microns?

A

Kidney Biopsy

55
Q

Incomplete drying of slides before staining can cause:

A

Wavy sections

56
Q

Which of the following is a reason for chilling a paraffin block before sectioning?

A

Hardens the Paraffin

57
Q

What does serial sectioning mean in reference to microtomy?

A

Initial block surfacing

58
Q

Washboarding observed in a section of uterus is most likely caused by which of the following?

A

Loose or worn microtome parts

59
Q

The intersection of the two cutting facets of a microtome blade is called the:

A

The bevel angle

60
Q

Aggressive facing can cause which of the following artifacts?

A

Holes

61
Q

In microtomy, the chuck:

A

holds and secures the block

62
Q

Which of the following tissue types is predisposed to washboarding or undulations?

A

Dense fibrous tissue

63
Q

When performing full rotation facing, the section thickness for facing is dependent on

A

Tissue size and density

64
Q

What may cause the lifting of sections from the microtome blade?

A

Debris on the block edge

65
Q

Chatter is observed in a tissue section when viewed microscopically. Which of the following is the most likely cause?

A

Dry tissue

66
Q

Agar, gelatin, and Elmer’s glue are examples of:

A

Waterbath additives

67
Q

When sectioning the blade gouges out a part of the tissue block. What would be the most likely cause?

A

Loose microtome lever

68
Q

Which of the following is a water-soluble wax?

A

Carbowax

69
Q

A cause of dark, hazy nuclei and cell shrinkage staining effects?

A

Overprocessing

70
Q

how dehydration is accomplished during routine processing

A

Water is removed by gradually increasing the concentration of alcohol

71
Q

Tissues processed on the schedule above are overhardened. What improvement can be made to this schedule to help alleviate this problem?

A

Remove vacuum from the stations

72
Q

Prolonged periods of time in clearing agents will:

A

Harden tissue

73
Q

Bone should be embedded:

A

At an angle

A. Question Bank (6 decks)

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