Histotechniques and Tissue Processing Quiz

Tissue Processing in Histology

• Fixation is a crucial step in histology that prevents autolysis, preserves tissue morphology, and enhances structural detail.

Individuals Involved in Tissue Processing

• Histotechnologists are responsible for processing tissues and making glass microscopic slides.

Dehydration in Tissue Processing

• Dehydration is a necessary step in tissue processing that removes water from the tissue, allowing for the infiltration of wax and ultimately, the creation of a solid block of tissue.
• Dehydration is typically done using a series of increasing concentrations of ethanol (50%, 70%, 90%, and 100%).

Role of Formaldehyde in Tissue Processing

• Formaldehyde is commonly used as a fixative in tissue processing due to its ability to cross-link proteins, thereby preserving tissue structure and morphology.
• Formaldehyde is also an effective bacteriostatic agent, which helps to prevent tissue degradation.

Clearing in Tissue Preparation

• The purpose of clearing in tissue preparation is to remove the dehydrating agent (e.g., ethanol) and replace it with a solvent that allows for the infiltration of wax (e.g., xylene or toluene).
• Clearing is essential for creating a solid block of tissue that can be sectioned and stained for microscopic examination.