The preparation of a tissue sample involves several key steps:
Fixation: This process preserves the tissue by preventing decay and maintaining the structure. Common fixatives include formaldehyde and glutaraldehyde. Embedding: The tissue is embedded in a medium such as paraffin wax to provide support for sectioning. Sectioning: Thin sections of the embedded tissue are cut using a microtome, usually between 3-5 micrometers thick. Staining: Stains such as hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) are applied to the sections to differentiate cellular components and structures.
