What are the primary techniques used in classical histology?
Classical histology relies heavily on a set of well-established techniques. The basic steps include fixation, embedding, sectioning, and staining of tissues.
Fixation: This process involves preserving the tissue in a life-like state using chemicals like formaldehyde. Fixation prevents decay and maintains cellular structures. Embedding: After fixation, tissues are embedded in a medium like paraffin wax to provide support for thin sectioning. Sectioning: Thin sections of tissue, usually around 5-10 micrometers thick, are cut using a microtome. These sections can then be placed on slides for examination. Staining: Different stains are used to highlight various cell components. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining is a common method where hematoxylin stains nuclei blue, and eosin stains cytoplasm pink.
