PRELIMS Flashcards
The machine on which sections are cut
Microtome
Essential parts of a Microtome
1. Knife carrier and Knife
2. Block holder
3. Ratchet feed wheel, pawl, and adjustment screws
Types of Microtome
1. Rocking Microtome
2. Rotary (Minot) Microtome
3. Freezing Microtome
4. Ultra-thin Microtome
5. Sliding or Base Sledge Microtome
The histology technician’s tool of his profession and becomes a personal possession.
Microtome Knife
Each technician should be given at least __ good knife/knives.
2
It is where the tissue is held in position.
Block holder
Adams developed this in 1789.
Sliding or Base Sledge Microtome
Used for actual cutting of tissue sections
Knife carrier and knife
Caldwell Trefall invented this in 1881.
Rocking Microtome
Used to line up the tissue block in proper position with the knife, adjust the proper thickness of the tissue for successive sections
Ratchet feed wheel, pawl and adjustment screws
Principle of the Microtome
A pawl is brought into contact with a ratchet wheel, which is connected to a mill head micrometer screw. This action turns the ratchet wheel, which in turn rotates the screw. By this means the block is moved towards the knife at a predetermined thickness.
It consists of central screw by which the block holder is perforated, attached to it is the food pipe carrying carbon dioxide from a cylinder. A simple lever - operated valve allows the release of rapid intermittent burst of carbon dioxide that freezes the block and the tissue.
Freezing Microtome
T or F: The knife is usually mounted below the block when using a freezing microtome.
Negative. The knife is usually mounted above the block.
Minot invented this in 1885-1886.
Rotary (Minot) Microtome
This is capable of cutting sections required for electron microscope.
Ultra-thin microtome
Ultra-thin Microtome is capable of cutting sections at ____.
0.5 micron
Queckett invented this in 1848.
Freezing microtome
A relatively small length of knife is available to use; it is dangerously placed with blade up.
Rotary (Minot) Microtome
Used in preparation for serial sections. Ribbons of 60-90 sections are obtained with ease.
Rocking microtome
Recommended for cutting extremely hard blocks.
Sliding or Base Sledge Microtome
It is not suitable for cutting large blocks as in the sliding microtome but is convenient for cutting serial sections making it faster for large number of routine blocks.
Rotary (Minot) Microtome
It is the simplest of all microtomes, the tissue block being mounted on the end of a spring poised rocking arm, the knife is held in a horizontal position, the blade face up and slightly inclined towards the block.
Rocking microtome
There are two types of this microtome.
Sliding or Base Sledge Microtome
Its knife consist mainly of selected fragments of broken plate glass. Special diamond knife can be used.
Ultra-thin Microtome