If a tissue section appears 'cloudy' or 'milky' after clearing with xylene and before mounting, what is the most likely cause?
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Correct answer: The xylene is contaminated with water
Xylene is not miscible with water; if dehydration was incomplete or if the xylene has absorbed atmospheric moisture, a cloudy emulsion forms. This prevents proper clearing and will result in a poor-quality slide.
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More Histological Artifacts questions
- What histological artifact is caused by the slow rate of fixative penetration, leading to enzymatic degradation of the tissue center?
- Which artifact results in a 'shish-kebab' or 'telescoping' effect where tissue layers are pushed into one another?
- Which of the following can cause the 'knife line' artifact, seen as a straight vertical tear across the section?
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- What is the cause of 'out-of-focus' areas when viewing a slide that otherwise seems well-prepared?