Conventional Tissue Processing

Fixation

Preserving the tissue specimen in as life like a manner as possible. 10% formalin

Dehydration

Process of removing water from the specimen. Utilizes increasing concentrations of ethyl alcohol

Clearing (De-alcoholization)

Removing dehydrating agents from the sample and replacing it with a fluid miscible with wax. Produces a translucent appearance of the sample. Xylene

Infiltration (Impregnation)

Process where the clearing agent is removed. Clearing agent is replaced with a fluid that will cover the cavities resulting in a firmer consistency of the sample. Paraffin

Embedding (Casting/Blocking)

The process of arranging the infiltrated tissue inside a mold containing a medium which is then allowed to solidify. Paraffin

Trimming

Process of removing excess paraffin wax from the block

Sectioning (Microtomy)

A tissue block is cut into thin slices called ribbons/sections

Staining

Application of dyes on the sections for studying the architectural pattern of the tissue and physical characteristics of the cell

Mounting

Process of placing a cover slip on the stained tissue using a medium. Canada Balsam