Histopathology

• What is the first step in making a slide for examination?

  Start with a cadaver or biopsy
• What is done during a post-mortem examination of a cadaver?

  The desired tissues are collected
• How are tissue samples fixed for slide preparation?

  By placing them in formalin
• What is the purpose of trimming the tissue sample into very small pieces?

  To embed it in paraffin wax
• How thick are the tissue sections cut for slides?

  Approximately 5 micrometers
• What staining method is used on the slide after placing the tissue?

  The slide is stained with hematoxylin and eosin
• What does hematoxylin stain in tissues?

  It stains acidic tissue basophilic (dark blue to purple)
• Which components are stained by hematoxylin?

  Nucleic acids, minerals, proteoglycans, mucin, and mast cell granules
• What does eosin stain in tissues?

  It stains basic tissues eosinophilic (pink to red)
• Which components are stained by eosin?

  Proteins, collagen, fibrin, cytoplasmic filaments, extracellular matrix, and eosinophil granules
• What magnification is typically used for tissue identification in normal tissue?

  A 2x lens
• What does tissue identification depend on?

  Knowing the basic structure and function
• What is considered the 'problem' in tissue examination?

  Alteration from normal tissue
• How should the distribution of a problem in tissue be assessed?

  By assessing if it is focal, multifocal, regional, segmental, or diffuse
• What makes some problems harder to identify in tissue examination?

  When there is no normal tissue to compare with
• What should be assessed regarding the exact location of the problem?

  Some problems may be an absence of a normal part of the tissue
• What does disturbance of growth refer to in tissue examination?

  It refers to lack of growth, decreased growth, or increased growth
• What is aplasia?

  A lack of growth
• What is hypoplasia?

  A decrease in growth
• What is atrophy?

  A decrease in size
• What is hypertrophy?

  An increase in growth
• What is hyperplasia?

  An increase in the number of cells
• What is dysplasia?

  Abnormal development or growth of tissues
• What is neoplasia?

  Irreversible genetic change rendering cells unresponsive to growth control signals
• What is metaplasia?

  Replacement of one type of tissue with another
• What is choristoma?

  Growth of normal tissue in an abnormal location
• What are the histological landmarks of neoplasia?

  Proliferation of a single cell type, loss of normal relationship to surrounding tissues, and often loss of normal architecture
• What should be identified when looking at a neoplasm on a slide?

  The cell type and features of malignancy
• What should be checked for in relation to inflammation?

  Check for lymphatic or vascular infiltration
• What are the types of acute inflammation?

  Fibrinous, neutrophilic, catarrhal, or serous