Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the likely cause of sections that are compressed, wrinkled, or jammed?
What is the likely cause of sections that are compressed, wrinkled, or jammed?
What is the likely cause of soft and mushy tissue in the center after embedding?
What is the likely cause of soft and mushy tissue in the center after embedding?
What should be done to correct a blunt or dull spot on the knife, producing an irregular knife edge?
What should be done to correct a blunt or dull spot on the knife, producing an irregular knife edge?
What can be done to prevent incomplete impregnation?
What can be done to prevent incomplete impregnation?
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What is the likely cause of sections that are too thin?
What is the likely cause of sections that are too thin?
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What is a common issue with ethanol when processing fatty tissues?
What is a common issue with ethanol when processing fatty tissues?
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What can be used to soften fixed tissues before sectioning?
What can be used to soften fixed tissues before sectioning?
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What should be done to correct a paraffin block that is too hard?
What should be done to correct a paraffin block that is too hard?
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Why should fatty tissues be cut thinly for sectioning?
Why should fatty tissues be cut thinly for sectioning?
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What is the likely cause of a hole formed in the section?
What is the likely cause of a hole formed in the section?
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What should be done to correct sections that are squashed (width of each section is less than that of block)?
What should be done to correct sections that are squashed (width of each section is less than that of block)?
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What can be used instead of ethanol to ensure complete dehydration?
What can be used instead of ethanol to ensure complete dehydration?
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What can cause the clearing agent to turn milky as soon as the tissue is placed in it?
What can cause the clearing agent to turn milky as soon as the tissue is placed in it?
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What is the result of inadequate processing of fatty tissues?
What is the result of inadequate processing of fatty tissues?
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Why is it difficult to cut sections when tissue is opaque?
Why is it difficult to cut sections when tissue is opaque?
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What can be done to soften tissue that has become brittle or hard?
What can be done to soften tissue that has become brittle or hard?
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Why does the paraffin block crumble after cooling?
Why does the paraffin block crumble after cooling?
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What is the result of incomplete fixation?
What is the result of incomplete fixation?
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Study Notes
Compressed, Wrinkled, or Jammed Sections
- Likely caused by air bubbles trapped in the tissue during embedding.
- Incorrect handling of tissue during embedding can also lead to these issues.
Soft and Mushy Tissue Center After Embedding
- Inadequate fixation, leading to insufficient hardening of the tissue.
Blunt or Dull Spot on Knife
- Honing the knife with a steel or honing device will sharpen the cutting edge.
Incomplete Impregnation
- Insufficient time allowed for paraffin to penetrate the tissue.
- Insufficient vacuum during infiltration.
- Excessively thick tissue can hinder the penetration of paraffin.
Sections Too Thin
- Incorrect microtome settings.
Ethanol and Fatty Tissues
- Ethanol extracts lipids, resulting in tissue shrinkage and hardening.
Softening Fixed Tissues
- Xylene can be utilized to soften fixed tissues before sectioning.
Paraffin Block Too Hard
- Lowering the temperature of the paraffin bath or the cooling process can soften the block.
Thinly Cutting Fatty Tissues
- Reduces the likelihood of tearing and allows for better visualization of cellular structures.
Hole in Section
- Air bubbles trapped during embedding.
Squashed Sections
- Excessive pressure applied to the block during sectioning.
- Adjusting the microtome settings to reduce compression.
Alternatives to Ethanol for Dehydration
- Isopropyl alcohol can be used as an alternative to ethanol, preventing lipid extraction.
Milky Clearing Agent
- Water contamination is the common cause.
- Ensure all solutions are dehydrated before use.
Inadequate Processing of Fatty Tissues
- Artifact formation, impacting interpretation.
Difficult to Cut Opaque Tissue
- Opaque Tissue makes it difficult to visually assess section thickness.
Softening Brittle or Hard Tissue
- Immerse the tissue in xylene or a similar clearing agent to soften it.
Paraffin Block Crumbling
- Insufficient cooling of the block, resulting in weak structural integrity.
Incomplete Fixation
- Degradation of tissue can occur, leading to inaccurate results.
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Description
This quiz troubleshoots common issues in paraffin impregnation, a crucial step in histology specimen preparation. It identifies causes and solutions to problems like contaminated wax, incomplete impregnation, and inadequate cooling.
