What are the Key Areas of Standardization in Histology?
The main areas where standardization is applied in histology include:
- Tissue Fixation: Using standard fixatives like formalin to preserve tissue morphology and prevent degradation. - Embedding: Employing consistent methods for tissue embedding, typically in paraffin wax, to support thin sectioning. - Sectioning: Utilizing calibrated microtomes to cut tissue sections at standard thicknesses, generally between 3-5 micrometers. - Staining: Applying standardized staining protocols, such as H&E staining, to highlight specific tissue components. - Immunohistochemistry: Using validated antibodies and standardized protocols to ensure specific and reproducible staining. - Imaging and Analysis: Capturing images with standardized settings and analyzing them using validated software to ensure consistency.
