46 Questions
Match the following steps in histology with their descriptions:
Fixation = Preserve the tissue and prevent structural change. Embedding = Supporting medium for tissue Sectioning = Cutting the tissue into thin slices Staining = Adding color to the tissue for examination
Match the following terms with their definitions:
Formalin = A mixture of formaldehyde gas and water Formaldehyde = A gas used in fixation Fixation = Preserving tissue from decay Autolysis = Breakdown of tissue by its own enzymes
Match the following materials with their uses:
10% N.B.Formalin = Most common fixative in histology Methyl alcohol = Added to formaldehyde to make formalin Neutral buffer = Added to formalin to make it suitable for fixation Water = Used to dilute 100% formalin
Match the following steps with their purposes:
Embedding = To support the tissue for sectioning Sectioning = To cut the tissue into thin slices Staining = To add color to the tissue for examination Fixation = To preserve the tissue from decay
Match the following statements with their corresponding reasons:
Formalin is cheap = It is widely used in histology Formalin penetrates tissue rapidly = It preserves the natural state of tissue 10% Formalin is used = It is the best fixative to preserve the natural state 90 ml of water is added = To dilute 10 ml of 100% Formalin
Match the following terms with their descriptions:
Histology = Study of tissue Pathologist = A doctor who examines tissue slides Histology department = Prepares slides of tissue for examination Autolysis = Breakdown of tissue by its own enzymes
Match the following steps with their results:
Fixation = Tissue is preserved from decay Embedding = Tissue is supported for sectioning Sectioning = Tissue is cut into thin slices Staining = Tissue is colored for examination
Match the following materials with their concentrations:
100% Formalin = 37% solution of formaldehyde gas and water 10% Formalin = 10 ml of 100% Formalin plus 90 ml of water 37% solution = Formaldehyde gas solution Water = Diluent for 100% Formalin
Match the following steps with their description in the histology process:
Step 3 = Wax infiltration Embedding = Adding an external base to the tissue Microtomy = Cutting sections of the tissue Labelling Slides = Identifying the slides with a label
Match the following chemicals with their usage in the histology process:
Xylene = Wax solvent Formalin = Fixative Ethyol alcohol = Dehydrating agent Hematoxylin = Stain for tissue
Match the following equipment with their usage in the histology process:
Microtome = Cutting sections of the tissue Cryostat = Preparing frozen sections HistoCore PELORIS 3 = Automated tissue processing Hot water bath = Flattening sections
Match the following stains with their usage in the histology process:
Hematoxylin and Eosin = Common stain Oil Red O = Stain for lipids Orcein = Stain for elastic in arteries or cartilage Toluidine blue = Stain for H pylori
Match the following specimen preparation methods with their primary uses:
Cytocentrifugation Preparation = Transfering biological cells onto a microscope slide ThinPrep Preparation = Cervical smear preparation Cell Block Preparation = Capturing remaining specimen in the centrifuge tube Histology Preparation = Not mentioned
Match the following steps with their purpose in the histology process:
Dehydration = Removing water from the tissue Clearing = Removing dehydrating agent Wax infiltration = Replacing the dehydrating agent with wax Embedding = Adding an external base to the tissue
Match the following steps with their order in the histology process:
Wax infiltration = Step 3 Embedding = Step 4 Microtomy = Step 5 Labelling Slides = Step 6
Match the following tasks with the role of an MLA in Histology/Cytology:
Prepares specimens for histology = MLA task Performs routine tissue processor maintenance = MLA task Analyzes patient samples = Not an MLA task Files and retrieves stained slides = MLA task
Match the following equipment with their uses:
Cytocentrifuge = Transferring sedimentable particles onto a microscope slide ThinPrep 2000 Processor = Automated slide preparation for cervical cancer testing Microscope = Analyzing prepared slides Centrifuge = Separating particles of different densities
Match the following disposal methods with their respective chemicals:
Down the drain = Ethyol alcohol Fractional distillation = Xylene Neutralizing agents = Formalin Not recyclable = Paraffin wax
Match the following materials with their uses:
Histogel = Hardening cell blocks Cytology fixed spray = Fixing microscope slides Formalin = Preserving tissue samples Pap test = Cervical cancer testing
Match the following steps with their purpose in the histology process:
Staining = Adding color to the tissue Permanent mounting = Adding a coverslip to the slide Labelling Slides = Identifying the slides with a label Hydration = Rehydrating the tissue
Match the following equipment with their benefits in the histology process:
HistoCore PELORIS 3 = Automated tissue processing Cryostat = Rapid preparation of frozen sections Microtome = Cutting sections of the tissue Hot water bath = Flattening sections
Match the following steps with their procedures:
Insert broom into larger opening of the vial = Specimen collection Place the cap on the vial = Securing the specimen Send to lab in a specimen bag = Transporting the specimen Mounting slides = Preparing slides for analysis
Match the following steps with their outputs in the histology process:
Microtomy = Ribbon of sections Staining = Colored tissue Labelling Slides = Labeled slides Permanent mounting = Finished slide
Match the following tasks with their corresponding procedures:
Stains and mounts pap slides = Cytology procedure Prepares specimens for histology = Histology procedure Performs routine staining procedures = Histology procedure Analyzes patient samples = Not mentioned
Match the following materials with their corresponding procedures:
Tissue paper = Cell block preparation Cassette = Storing and transporting specimen blocks Formalin = Preserving tissue samples Microscope slides = Analyzing prepared slides
Match the following fixatives with their characteristics:
10% formalin = Fixes 4 mm piece of tissue in 8 hrs Bouin's solution = Contains picric acid Glutaraldehyde = Used for electron microscopy Alcohols = Good for cytology
Match the following factors with their effects on fixation:
Temperature = Increases the rate of diffusion of the fixative Time = The longer the better in most cases Penetration rate = Depends on the fixative Specimen dimensions = 1-4 mm thickness
Match the following tasks with their corresponding responsibilities:
Prepares specimens for cytology = MLA task Files and retrieves stained slides = MLA task Analyzes patient samples = Not an MLA task Assists in the cutting room = MLA task
Match the following steps with their descriptions in tissue processing:
Dehydration = Removal of H2O using a ascending series of alcohols Clearing = Displacing ethanol with an intermediate solvent Wax infiltration = Infiltrating the tissue with paraffin wax Embedding = Not mentioned in the passage
Match the following materials with their uses in tissue processing:
Alcohols = Dehydration Xylene = Clearing Paraffin wax = Wax infiltration Ethanols = Not mentioned in the passage
Match the following types of tissues with their characteristics:
Routine specimens = Examples include appendix Small tissue biopsy = Examples include colon bx Urgent specimens = Examples include breast bx Cytology blocks = Different color
Match the following labelling methods with their descriptions:
Manual method = Causes problems such as penmanship issues Cassette Labeler = A machine that etches numbers on the cassette Barcode = Not mentioned in the passage Handwriting = Not mentioned in the passage
Match the following components with their places in the labelled cassette:
Year = First part of the label Surgical specimen number = Second part of the label Lab number = Third part of the label Specimen number = Fourth part of the label
Match the following gross examination products with their descriptions:
Document = Written record of the examiner's findings Tissue blocks = Portions of tissue sealed in plastic cassettes Gross description = Not mentioned in the passage Microscopic examination = Not mentioned in the passage
Match the following fixatives with their components:
Bouin's solution = Picric acid Zenker's fixative = Mercuric chloride Glutaraldehyde = Not mentioned in the passage Sodium dihydrogen phosphate = Not mentioned in the passage
Match the following steps with their order in tissue processing:
Dehydration = First step Clearing = Second step Wax infiltration = Third step Embedding = Not mentioned in the passage
Match the following types of cytology specimens with their descriptions:
Gynaecological = Cervical cancer demonstrates distinct pre-cancerous cellular changes that may be detected by the pap smear Non-gynaecological = Specimens obtained from the respiratory, urinary or gastro-intestinal systems Fine Needle Aspirations = Specimens obtained from any site using a fine needle Cytology = The study of cells in terms of structure, function and chemistry
Match the following stains with their uses:
Papanicolaou stain = For nuclear details in gynecologic cytology Romanowsky-type stain = For air-dried gynecologic preparations Hematoxylin = For staining cell nuclei blue Eosin Y = For staining cytoplasm pink
Match the following cytology procedures with their descriptions:
Papanicolaou staining = Involves five dyes in three solutions Romanowsky staining = Used to differentiate cells for microscopic examination Cytology = The study of cells in terms of structure, function and chemistry Pap smear = The most common test done in cytology
Match the following specimen collection methods with their descriptions:
LBC Collection Vial = A method of collecting specimens for cytology Rover Cervex Brush = A device used to collect patient samples Cooper Spatula/Brush Combo = A combination of tools used to collect patient samples Glass slides = No longer used for collecting smears
Match the following cytology specimen types with their examples:
Cervical/Vaginal Smears = Gynaecological specimen Sputum = Non-gynaecological specimen Body Fluids = Non-gynaecological specimen Fine Needle Aspirations = Breast, lung, salivary glands, thyroid, liver, pancreas and lymph nodes
Match the following cytology procedures with their steps:
Papanicolaou staining = Involves five dyes in three solutions Specimen collection = Remove the top 2D barcode from the vial and place on the bottom right corner of the Cytology requisition Romanowsky staining = Used to differentiate cells for microscopic examination Cytology = The study of cells in terms of structure, function and chemistry
Match the following cytology specimen types with their collection methods:
Gynaecological = Using a broom and rotating 5 times in a clockwise direction Non-gynaecological = Using a Cooper Spatula/Brush Combo Fine Needle Aspirations = Using a fine needle Cytology = The study of cells in terms of structure, function and chemistry
Match the following cytology procedures with their purposes:
Pap smear = To look for cancerous changes to cells Cytology = The study of cells in terms of structure, function and chemistry Papanicolaou staining = To stain cell nuclei blue Romanowsky staining = To differentiate cells for microscopic examination
Match the following cytology specimen types with their locations:
Cervical/Vaginal Smears = Cervical canal Sputum = Respiratory system Body Fluids = Pericardial, pleural, peritoneal and joint fluids Fine Needle Aspirations = Breast, lung, salivary glands, thyroid, liver, pancreas and lymph nodes
Match the following cytology procedures with their requirements:
Papanicolaou staining = Five dyes in three solutions Specimen collection = Patient label with First Name, Last Name and PHIN Romanowsky staining = Air-dried gynecologic preparations Cytology = The study of cells in terms of structure, function and chemistry
Study Notes
Histology
- The main function of a histology department is to prepare slides of tissue from various sources for pathologists to examine.
- Preparation of histological sections involves:
- Preservation of tissue through fixation to prevent structural changes.
- Embedding the tissue in a supporting medium.
- Sectioning the tissue.
- Staining the tissue.
Fixation
- Fixation is a critical step in histological section preparation to preserve tissue from decay.
- The most common fixative is 10% neutral buffered formalin.
- 10% neutral buffered formalin is cheap and penetrates tissue rapidly to preserve the natural state.
- Formalin is made by mixing 40% formaldehyde with 100ml of water.
Factors Affecting Fixation
- Temperature: Increasing the temperature of fixation increases the rate of diffusion of the fixative into the tissue and speeds up the rate of chemical reaction.
- Time: The longer the fixation, the better in most cases.
- Penetration rate: Depends on the fixative.
- Specimen dimensions: Optimal thickness is 1-4 mm.
Alternative Fixatives
- Bouin's solution: Contains picric acid.
- Zenker's fixative: Contains mercuric chloride.
- Glutaraldehyde: Used for electron microscopy.
- Alcohols: Good for cytology.
Gross Description
- The initial step in examining a clinical specimen.
- Produces two end products: a written document and a set of tissue blocks.
- The success of the final histological diagnosis depends on the skill of the professional performing the gross description.
Tissue Processing
- Dehydration: Removes water from the tissue using a series of alcohols (70%, 95%, 100%).
- Clearing: Uses an intermediate solvent to remove ethanol from the tissue.
- Wax infiltration: Infiltrates the tissue with a suitable histological wax.
Embedding
- Places the tissue in a mold with liquid embedding material, which is then hardened.
- Creates a stable block that can be cut into thin sections.
Microtomy
- Cuts sections of the tissue imbedded in the wax block using a microtome.
- Produces a series of ribbons at a thickness of 3-5 um.
Labelling Slides
- Labels slides with the same information as the block:
- Year
- S (if surgical specimen)
- Lab number
- Specimen number
- Sub number
Staining
- Most common stain is Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E).
- Removes wax from the sections using a wax solvent.
- Hydrates the sections using descending alcohols and water.
- Stains the sections with H&E.
Permanent Mounting
- Dehydrates the slides with ascending alcohols and xylene.
- Covers the slides with a mountant and a glass coverslip.
- Removes excess mounting fluid using xylene.
Frozen Sections
- A rapid alternative to embedding in paraffin wax.
- Uses a cryostat to prepare and stain the tissue.
- Tissue is unfixed.
Cytology
- Definition: The study of cells in terms of structure, function, and chemistry.
- Objectives:
- Define cytology.
- List the three types of cytology specimens.
- Describe the different types of procedures used in cytology.
- Describe the most common stain used in cytology.
Types of Cytology Specimens
- Gynaecological: Cervical cancer demonstrates distinct pre-cancerous cellular changes.
- Non-gynaecological: Obtained from respiratory, urinary, or gastrointestinal systems.
- Fine needle aspirations: Obtained from various sites using a fine needle.
Stains Used in Cytology
- Papanicolaou stain: Used for gynecologic cytology and fixed non-gynecological samples.
- Romanowsky-type stain: Used for air-dried gynecologic preparations.
Specimen Preparation
- Methods:
- Cytocentrifugation preparation (Cytospin).
- ThinPrep preparation: Mainly used for cervical smears.
- Cell block preparation: Captures remaining specimen in the centrifuge tube.
Role of a Medical Laboratory Assistant (MLA) in Histology/Cytology
- Prepares specimens for histology and cytology.
- Labels tissue cassettes and slides.
- Performs routine tissue processor maintenance and reagent changes.
- Files and retrieves stained slides and paraffin blocks.
- Assists in the cutting room.
Learn the basics of histology, including the study of tissue, preparation of histological sections, and the role of the histology department.
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