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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
The function of the microtome advance (course adjustment) wheel is to:
move the chuck forward and backward
26
The function of the microtome advance (course adjustment) wheel is to:
move the chuck forward and backward
27
Which of the following artifacts is caused by contamination of the waterbath?
Floaters
28
When using a slide dryer to dry slides, what should determine the temperature setting of the oven?
The melting point of the paraffin
29
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?
Lower the temperature of the slide dryer/oven
30
Which type of microtome would be used for routine paraffin sectioning.
Rotary or automated
31
Which of the following would likely cause a knife line in a paraffin section?
Debris on the knife edge
32
Tissue sections floated on a waterbath that is too cool are likely to have this artifact.
Wrinkles
33
Which of the following will most likely be corrected by soaking a faced block in ice water?
Microscopic Chatter
33
Which of the following will most likely be corrected by soaking a faced block in ice water?
Microscopic Chatter
34
Which of the following is likely to cause sections to lift from the blade during microtomy?
Clearance angle is too low
35
What is the function of the microtome drive wheel?
It moves the chuck up and down
36
The correct temperature of the waterbath is determined by the melting point of paraffin.
True
37
Tissue fragmentation or separation can be caused by:
Incomplete fixation or processing
38
Which of the following would be an ergonomic method to reduce MSDs during microtomy?
- Use your whole arm to rotate the drive wheel - Adjust chair appropriately - Stretch often
39
The clearance angle is determined by:
The bevel angle and type of microtome
40
Of the following, which of the following is the best definition of facing?
Initial block surfacing
41
In reference to microtomy, what is the definition of sectioning?
Producing tissue at appropriate thickness for microscopy
42
Define levels, as it applies to microtomy.
Skipping a variable number of tissue sections between sections selected for staining
43
The overuse of freeze spray on a paraffin block can cause:
Cracks in the paraffin
44
The temperature of a waterbath should be how many degrees below the melting point of paraffin?
5º-10ºC
45
The benefit of using positively charged slides is to:
eliminate the use of waterbath adhesives
46
In reference to microtomy, what is the clearance angle?
The angle of the blade in relation to the block face
47
In reference to microtomy, what is the clearance angle?
The angle of the blade in relation to the block face
48
When placing a section onto a slide, you should align the edge of the paraffin and not the tissue.
False
49
A ribbon will not form at sectioning. Which of the following could be a cause?
- Clearance angle to high - Dull or dirty blade - Loose microtome lever
50
When sectioning dense fibrous tissue, what waterbath temperature adjustment may be necessary?
No adjustment would be needed
51
Which of the following tissue types would require less hydration?
Breast
52
Keeping the block edge parallel to the blade will prevent:
A crooked Ribbon
53
Increased background staining is observed on a stained slide. Which of the following is the most likely cause?
Excessive adhesive in the waterbath
54
Which of the following tissues would most likely be sectioned at 2-3 microns?
Kidney Biopsy
55
Incomplete drying of slides before staining can cause:
Wavy sections
56
Which of the following is a reason for chilling a paraffin block before sectioning?
Hardens the Paraffin
57
What does serial sectioning mean in reference to microtomy?
Initial block surfacing
58
Washboarding observed in a section of uterus is most likely caused by which of the following?
Loose or worn microtome parts
59
The intersection of the two cutting facets of a microtome blade is called the:
The bevel angle
60
Aggressive facing can cause which of the following artifacts?
Holes
61
In microtomy, the chuck:
holds and secures the block
62
Which of the following tissue types is predisposed to washboarding or undulations?
Dense fibrous tissue
63
When performing full rotation facing, the section thickness for facing is dependent on
Tissue size and density
64
What may cause the lifting of sections from the microtome blade?
Debris on the block edge
65
Chatter is observed in a tissue section when viewed microscopically. Which of the following is the most likely cause?
Dry tissue
66
Agar, gelatin, and Elmer's glue are examples of:
Waterbath additives
67
When sectioning the blade gouges out a part of the tissue block. What would be the most likely cause?
Loose microtome lever
68
Which of the following is a water-soluble wax?
Carbowax
69
A cause of dark, hazy nuclei and cell shrinkage staining effects?
Overprocessing
70
how dehydration is accomplished during routine processing
Water is removed by gradually increasing the concentration of alcohol
71
Tissues processed on the schedule above are overhardened. What improvement can be made to this schedule to help alleviate this problem?
Remove vacuum from the stations
72
Prolonged periods of time in clearing agents will:
Harden tissue
73
Bone should be embedded:
At an angle

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