Proper preparation of tissues is crucial for obtaining clear and informative images. The process generally involves several steps:
Fixation: Preserves tissue structure by immobilizing proteins and preventing decay. Common fixatives include formaldehyde and glutaraldehyde. Embedding: Involves infiltrating tissues with a medium like paraffin or resin, providing support for thin sectioning. Sectioning: Thin slices of tissue are cut using a microtome or ultramicrotome for light and electron microscopy, respectively. Staining: Enhances contrast using dyes or antibodies. H&E staining is widely used for general tissue architecture, while specialized stains like Masson's Trichrome or Immunohistochemistry (IHC) are used for specific applications.
