The process of preparing tissue samples for histological analysis involves several key steps:
Fixation: This step preserves the tissue structure and prevents degradation. Common fixatives include formaldehyde and glutaraldehyde. Embedding: The fixed tissue is embedded in a medium such as paraffin or resin to support the tissue during sectioning. Sectioning: Thin slices of the embedded tissue are cut using a microtome. These sections are typically 4-5 micrometers thick. Staining: To enhance the visibility of different tissue components, sections are stained using various dyes. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) are commonly used stains. Mounting: The stained sections are mounted on glass slides and covered with a coverslip for microscopic examination.
