Microtomy and Cryostat Techniques Flashcards
6 cards from real ASCP practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Microtomy and Cryostat Techniques flashcards as text
What is the recommended water bath temperature for floating paraffin sections before mounting?
Answer: 40–45°C
A water bath at 40–45°C is warm enough to relax and flatten paraffin sections without melting the wax.
What is the trimming step in paraffin block preparation used for?
Answer: Removing excess paraffin to expose the tissue face
Trimming removes excess paraffin and exposes the full tissue face so diagnostic-quality sections can be cut.
Which type of microtome is best suited for cutting undecalcified bone sections?
Answer: Sliding microtome
A sliding (sledge) microtome with a heavy-duty blade is suited for hard tissues like undecalcified bone because it exerts more force.
What is the function of the heat plate or slide warmer after mounting sections?
Answer: To melt and drive out water and adhere the section to the slide
The slide warmer (55–60°C) melts paraffin slightly and drives out water, ensuring the section adheres firmly to the slide.
What causes the 'venetian blind' artifact in paraffin sections?
Answer: Alternating thick and thin areas due to incomplete ribbon advancement
The venetian blind effect results from uneven section thickness caused by inconsistent block advancement between cuts.
What is the purpose of sectioning a 'waste' ribbon before collecting diagnostic sections?
Answer: To remove surface paraffin and expose full tissue depth
Cutting and discarding initial waste sections removes the trimmed surface layer and reveals intact tissue at the proper depth.