Sectioning In Histology

In histology sectioning refers to the service of cleanly and consistently cutting paraffin embedded or frozen tissue into a thin slice.

Sectioning in histology. In addition less than ideal fixation and embedding techniques can make sectioning difficult. Sometimes sections from two or more blocks cases are left floating out simultaneously. Sections from more than one block case are never simultaneously floated on the water bath.

It is important to have a properly fixed and embedded block or much artefact can be introduced in the sectioning. Almost any tissue can be successfully sectioned if you employ the tips below. However where there is a will there is a way.

Common artefacts include tearing ripping venetian blinds holes folding etc. Sectioning tissues is a real art and takes much skill and practice. Microtomy or section cutting is the technique of making the very thin slices of tissue specimens for the microscopic examination to identify the abnormalities or atypical appearance in the tissue if present and also for the study of various components of the cells or tissues like lipids enzymes antigens or antibodies immunohistochemistry cell organelles etc.

These thin slices are referred to as sections and are then mounted to a slide. Hard tissue such as bone and cavernous tissues such as liver or heart present special challenges when sectioning. The specimen is very carefully orientated in the mould because its placement will determine the plane of section an important consideration in both diagnostic and research histology.

Histology also known as microscopic anatomy or microanatomy is the branch of biology which studies the microscopic anatomy of biological tissues. A huge range of stains is used in histology from dyes and metals to labeled antibodies. Once embedded tissues are cut into thin sections ready to be placed on a slide.

Paraffin blocks can be sectioned with high carbon steel blades. There are two main categories of sectioning referred to as paraffin or frozen sectioning. This is a dangerous practice that can lead to inaccurate identification of specimens.