HT Frozen Sections & Cryostat Techniques

Question 1

What is the primary purpose of a cryostat in histology?

Accepted Answer

To section frozen tissue at controlled low temperatures

Answer

To fix tissue rapidly with chemical agents

Answer

To dehydrate tissue for paraffin embedding

Answer

To stain sections at sub-zero temperatures

Question 2

What temperature range is typically maintained inside a cryostat cabinet for routine soft tissue sectioning?

Accepted Answer

-15°C to -25°C

Answer

0°C to -5°C

Answer

-8°C to -12°C

Answer

-35°C to -45°C

Question 3

Which embedding medium is most commonly used to support tissue for frozen sections in a cryostat?

Accepted Answer

Optimal Cutting Temperature (OCT) compound

Answer

Paraffin wax

Answer

Celloidin

Answer

Glycol methacrylate resin

Question 4

What is the primary advantage of frozen sections over routine paraffin-embedded sections?

Accepted Answer

Rapid preparation time enabling intraoperative diagnosis

Answer

Superior morphological detail and nuclear clarity

Answer

Better long-term archival storage of tissue

Answer

Ability to cut thinner sections

Question 5

Which type of tissue component is BEST demonstrated using frozen sections rather than paraffin-embedded sections?

Accepted Answer

Lipids and neutral fats

Answer

Nuclear chromatin and DNA

Answer

Cytoplasmic ribosomes

Answer

Structural proteins such as collagen

Question 6

Which staining method is most commonly used for rapid staining of intraoperative frozen sections?

Accepted Answer

Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E)

Answer

Periodic acid-Schiff (PAS)

Answer

Masson's trichrome

Answer

Giemsa stain

Question 7

What is the typical section thickness range for routine diagnostic frozen sections?

Accepted Answer

8–12 micrometers

Answer

1–3 micrometers

Answer

4–6 micrometers

Answer

20–30 micrometers