CHAPTER 12: MICROTOMY Flashcards
(329 cards)
The process by which processed tissue, most commonly a paraffin embedded tissue, is trimmed and cut into uniformly thin slices or “sections”
Microtomy
This process is done to facilitate studies under the microscope
Microtomy
The basic instrument used in microtomy
microtome
It is capable of cutting a section at a predetermined thickness by sliding the block into a cutting tool
Microtomy
How is a microtome used?
- by sliding the block into a cutting tool
- usually a steel knife, glass or diamond blade which is fixed and attached to the machine
What are the 3 essential parts of a microtome?
BPK
- Block holder
- Pawl, Ratchet Feed wheel and Adjustment Screws
- Knife carrier and knife
What are the 3 essential parts of a microtome?
BPK
- Block holder
- Pawl, Ratchet Feed wheel and Adjustment Screws
- Knife carrier and knife
This is the part of the microtome where the tissue is held in position
Block holder
This is the part of the microtome for actual cutting of tissue sections
Knife carrier and knife
This is the part of the microtome to line up the tissue block in proper position with the knife, adjusting the proper thickness of the tissue for successive sections
Pawl, Ratchet Feed Wheel and Adjustment Screws
This is the part of the microtome to line up the tissue block in proper position with the knife, adjusting the proper thickness of the tissue for successive sections
Pawl, Ratchet Feed Wheel and Adjustment Screws
Whatever the type of microtome is used, what is the principle that remains essentially the same?
- a spring-balanced teeth or pawl is brought into contact with,
- and turns a ratchet feed wheel connected to a micrometer screw,
- which is in turn rotated,
- moving the tissue block at a predetermined distance toward the knife
- for cutting sections at uniform thickness
What are the 5 kinds of microtomes?
RRUF CS
- Rocking microtome
- Rotary microtome
- Ultrathin microtome
- Cryostat/Cold microtome
- Sliding microtome
These microtome/s are used for cutting paraffin embedded tissues?
- Rotary microtome
- Rocking microtome
This microtome is used for cutting serial sections of large blocks of paraffin embedded tissues
Rocking microtome
Used for cutting paraffin embedded sections
Rotary microtome
Used for cutting celloidin embedded sections
Sliding microtome
Used for cutting unembedded frozen sections
Freezing microtome
Used for cutting frozen sections
Cryostat/Cold microtome
Used for cutting section for Electron Microscopy
Ultrathin microtome
Another name for rocking microtome
Cambridge microtome
Another term for rotary microtome
Minot microtome
Who invented the Rocking (Cambridge) microtome?
Paldwell Trefall
When was the Rocking (Cambridge) microtome invented?
1881