Which of the following artifacts is most likely caused by improper dehydration or incomplete infiltration of paraffin during tissue processing?
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Correct answer: Soft or 'mushy' tissue sections
If water remains in the tissue due to incomplete dehydration, the paraffin wax cannot fully penetrate the sample. This results in soft tissue that is difficult to section and may fall apart on the water bath.
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More Histological Artifacts questions
- What is the primary cause of 'chatter' or microscopic vibrations seen in a histological section?
- Which artifact appears as dark, needle-like brown crystals, often occurring when the pH of the fixative falls below 6.0?
- A 'venetian blind' appearance in a tissue section, characterized by parallel cracks or splits, is most frequently associated with:
- Which of the following describes 'crush artifact' commonly seen in small biopsies?
- What is the likely cause of 'parched earth' or 'cracked' appearance in the tissue when viewed under the microscope?
- Which artifact is characterized by empty circular spaces within the cytoplasm of cells, often seen in frozen sections?