The preparation of histological sections involves several steps:
Fixation: This step involves preserving the tissue to prevent decay and to maintain its structure. Common fixatives include formaldehyde and glutaraldehyde. Embedding: The fixed tissue is embedded in a medium, usually paraffin wax, to provide support during slicing. Sectioning: A microtome is used to cut extremely thin slices of the embedded tissue, typically between 4 to 10 micrometers thick. Staining: These thin sections are then stained to highlight different cellular components. Common stains include Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E).
