Terms to know

Question 1

Accessioning

Answer 1

Specimen is received and accessioned/ numbered

Question 2

Fixation

Answer 2

Specimen is immersed in fixative ( usually 10% formalin)

Question 3

Decalcification (if required)

Answer 3

Specimen is placed in solution (usually acid) to remove calcium

Question 4

Grossing

Answer 4

Specimen is examined, described and all or significant tissue is submitted in tissue cassettes

Question 5

Dehydration

Answer 5

Removal of water ( using alcohol usually ethanol)

Automatic tissue processor

Question 6

Clearing

Answer 6

Removal of dehydrating agent by a fluid (e.g. Xylene ) which will dissolve paraffin

Automatic tissue processor

Question 7

Infiltration

Answer 7

Impregnating tissue with paraffin

Automatic tissue processor

Question 8

Embedding

Answer 8

Orienting tissue in hardened block of paraffin

Question 9

Microtomy

Answer 9

Cutting sections of tissue and placing on a microscope slide

Question 10

Staining

Answer 10

Routine stain in histology is Hematoxylin & Eosin

Question 11

Microscopic examination

Answer 11

The stained slide is examined microscopically by a pathologist (medical doctor) who makes the diagnosis.