Microtomy and Staining Techniques

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering microtomy processes, instruments, types of tissue staining, and key histology concepts.

Microtomy

A skilled process that involves cutting processed tissue into thin slices for microscopic studies.

Microtome

The basic instrument used to cut tissue sections at a predetermined thickness.

Pawl

A component of the microtome that engages with a ratchet feed wheel for movement.

Block holder

The part of the microtome that holds the tissue block in position.

Knife carrier

A part of the microtome that supports and moves the knife for cutting sections.

Base-Sledge Microtome

A type of sliding microtome that allows the knife to be set at an angle for cutting.

Rotary Microtome

A common type of microtome used for cutting paraffin embedded tissues.

Cryostat

A refrigerated apparatus used to cut frozen sections of tissue.

Ultrathin Microtome

An instrument used to cut extremely thin sections for electron microscopy.

Diamond knife

A specialized knife used for cutting very thin sections of resin-embedded tissue.

Hematoxylin

A natural dye commonly used for staining histological sections.

Eosin

A dye used as a counterstain in histological staining.

Adhesives

Substances that help tissue sections stick to slides for examination.

Mounting medium

A fluid applied between the tissue section and coverslip to preserve the specimen.

Ringing

The process of sealing the edges of a coverslip to prevent fluid evaporation.

Glycerol

A mounting medium that provides a high index of refraction and visibility.

Gelatin

A compound often used as an adhesive in histological preparations.

Poly-L-Lysine

An adhesive used for sectioning in immunohistochemistry.

APES

A type of slide coating that enhances adhesion for cytological preparations.

Staining

The process used to enhance the visibility of tissue components under a microscope.

Histological staining

Staining technique that demonstrates tissue constituents through direct dye interaction.

Histochemical staining

Staining based on chemical reactions for microscopic localization of tissue substances.

Progressive staining

A method where tissue is stained in a sequence until the desired color intensity is achieved.

Regressive staining

A staining method where excess dye is removed from tissues to achieve desired color.

Counterstaining

The application of a second dye to provide contrast to the primary stain.

Metachromatic staining

A technique that uses dyes to stain specific tissue elements in different colors.

Immunohistochemistry

A technique combining immunology and histochemistry to detect specific proteins in tissues.

Differentiation

The selective removal of excess stain from tissue during the staining process.

Chromophores

Molecular groups within dyes responsible for producing color.

Auxochrome

A group that enhances the dye’s affinity for the tissue.

Natural dyes

Dyes obtained from plants or animals used for staining tissues.

Synthetic dyes

Man-made dyes, such as aniline or coal tar dyes, used in histology.

Mordant

A substance that helps fix dyes to tissues for improved staining.

Adjustable thermostat

A device in a cryostat that controls temperature for freezing tissue.

Papanicolaou stain

A polychrome staining method commonly used in cytopathology.

Periodic Acid Schiff (PAS) stain

A staining method used to detect carbohydrates in tissue sections.

Cytospin

A technique for preparing cell smears by centrifuging samples.

Fine needle aspiration (FNA)

A technique for obtaining cellular samples from solid tissue.

Cervicovaginal smear

A sample collected from the cervix to examine for malignancy.

Decalcified sections

Tissue samples that have had calcium removed for easier sectioning.

Fluid mounts

Temporary preparations for viewing cells in fluids.

Tissue biopsies

Samples taken from living tissue for diagnostic examination.

Electron microscopy

A microscopy technique that provides high-resolution images of tissue sections.

Farrant's medium

A resinous mounting medium used for histological slides.

Durofix

An adhesive used for sealing coverslips onto slides.

Canada Balsam

A natural resin used for mounting sections in microscopy.

DPX

A synthetic resin medium commonly used for small tissue sections.

Xylene

A solvent used in histology for clearing tissues before embedding.

Polychromatic stain

A method that uses multiple colors to differentiate cellular components.

Staining solutions

Liquids used to apply dyes to tissue sections for observation.

Acid-fast stain

A staining technique used to identify certain bacteria under a microscope.

Fluorescent stain

A type of stain that fluoresces under ultraviolet light.

Thionine

A synthetic dye used primarily in histopathological staining.

Safranin

A reddish dye used for counterstaining in biological specimens.

Mounting slides

The process of affixing tissue sections to a slide for viewing.

Cytological evaluation

The study of cells to assess their characteristics and diagnose conditions.

Blood smears

Prepared samples of blood used for laboratory examination.

Immunofluorescence

A technique using fluorescent antibodies to detect specific proteins.

Histological sections

Thin slices of tissue prepared for microscopic examination.

Double-staining method

Applying two different stains to the same sample for clearer visualization.

Water bath

A controlled temperature water container used during the staining process.

Benedict's and Barford's Methods

Techniques for classifying types of staining based on their processes.

Fluorochromes

Fluorescent dyes that bind to specific targets in tissue.

Osmic acid

A fixative that is also used for staining fat in tissues.

Jelly-like clots in effusions

Thickened fluid that forms after certain medical procedures.

Clinical significance of stains

The relevance of using specific stains in diagnosing medical conditions.

Specimen transport

Protocols for moving biological samples to labs for analysis.

Sealing coverslips

Using materials to secure coverslips over mounted specimens to prevent contamination.

Histopathological examination

Microscopic evaluation of tissue samples to identify disease.

Recommendations for specimen collection

Guidelines for collecting specimens to ensure their viability.

Tape mounts

Mounting technique using tape to hold a specimen in place.

Ideal smear characteristics

Criteria that make a cytological smear proper for evaluation.

Cellular differentiation

The process by which cells acquire distinct characteristics.

Pap stain

A specific staining technique for analyzing cervical cells.

Squamous cells

Flat epithelial cells that line various tissues.

Cylindrical cells

Column-shaped epithelial cells found in various tissues.

Immature cells

Cells that have not fully developed or differentiated.

Specimen fixatives

Chemicals used to preserve biological samples.

Evaluation of staining techniques

Assessment of staining methods for their effectiveness.

Light microscopy

A microscopy technique that uses visible light to view specimens.

Fluorescence microscopy

A form of microscopy that detects specific cellular components by using fluorescent staining.

Cellular staining patterns

Distinct colorations resulting from the application of stains.

Reactive agents

Chemicals that cause specific reactions in tissues during staining.

Nuclear detail in staining

The focus on the nucleus during the staining process for better visualization.

Histological preparation

The process of preparing tissue samples for microscopic examination.

中性アプローチ

A method of neutralizing the reaction of tissue staining.

Sample preservation methods

Techniques used to maintain the integrity of biological samples during storage.

Tissue embedding

The process of encasing tissue samples in materials for sectioning.

Saccharomyces petites

Yeasts used in microbiological studies.

Epithelial layers

Different tiers within epithelial tissue that have specific functions.

Leukocyte identification

The process of recognizing different types of white blood cells in samples.

Neoplastic cells

Cells that exhibit abnormal growth, indicative of tumors.

Tissue types

Classification of tissues based on their structure and function.