What histological artifact is caused by the slow rate of fixative penetration, leading to enzymatic degradation of the tissue center?
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Correct answer: Autolysis
Autolysis is the self-digestion of tissue by internal enzymes. If a fixative does not reach the center of a large specimen quickly enough, the cells in that area will degrade before they can be preserved.
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More Histological Artifacts questions
- 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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- Which artifact is characterized by a blue haze or 'smudging' of the nuclear detail?