Processing cytological specimens involves several critical steps:
1. Fixation: Fixatives, such as alcohol or formalin, are used to preserve cellular integrity and prevent degradation. 2. Staining: Stains like Papanicolaou stain and Giemsa stain are applied to highlight cellular components, making it easier to differentiate between normal and abnormal cells. 3. Mounting: The stained cells are mounted on slides with a cover slip to protect the specimen and facilitate microscopic examination.
