What Are the Key Steps in Histological Techniques?

The process of histological preparation generally involves several key steps:

Fixation: This step involves preserving tissue samples to prevent decomposition. Common fixatives include formaldehyde and glutaraldehyde.
Dehydration: Removing water from the tissue using a series of alcohol solutions, usually increasing in concentration.
Clearing: Replacing the alcohol with a substance like xylene that is miscible with both alcohol and embedding media.
Embedding: Enclosing the tissue in a solid medium, such as paraffin wax, to provide support for sectioning.
Sectioning: Cutting thin slices of the embedded tissue using a microtome or cryostat.
Staining: Applying stains to enhance contrast in the tissue sections, making different structures more visible under a microscope.
Mounting: Placing the stained sections on glass slides and covering them with a coverslip for examination.