Routine Techniques

Question 1

What technique involves the preparation and examination of cells collected by fine needle aspiration, bronchial washings, and other techniques?

Answer 1

Cytopathologic technique

Question 2

This is a basic component of a tertiary hospital laboratory where human tissues and body fluids are processed into slides for microscopic examination by the anatomic pathologist.

Answer 2

Histopathology

Question 3

Enumerate 3 reasons for tissue degradation or decomposition.

Answer 3

1. Lack of oxygen (ischemia)
2. Accumulation of CO2
3. Autolysis

Question 4

What is the first step in specimen processing?

Answer 4

specimen identification

Question 5

True or False.

The label should be firmly attached to the lid of the container.

Answer 5

False: The label should be firmly attached to the body of the container.

Question 6

Enumerate the 3 markers for orientation.

Answer 6

1. Ink
2. Nicking
3. Suturing

Question 7

What marker for orientation indicates laterality?

Answer 7

Nicking

Question 8

What kind of suture will you use to represent long lateral?

Answer 8

LL

Question 9

What kind of suture will you use to represent short superior?

Answer 9

SS

Question 10

Weight of intact specimen is rounded to the nearest ____.

Answer 10

0.1g

Question 11

Dimensions are rounded to the nearest ____.

Answer 11

1cm

Question 12

Identify the specimen for dermatology.

• Should NOT be cut, bisected, or inked while fresh and infixed

Answer 12

small specimens

Question 13

Identify the specimen for dermatology.

• processed in cassettes either with a fine mesh, in lens paper, or in a “tea bag”

Answer 13

small specimens

Question 14

Identify the specimen for dermatology.

• should be taken with the lesion (larger) at its center

Answer 14

core biopsies

Question 15

What type of core biopsy should be bisected eccentrically and embedded with cut surfaces down?

Answer 15

Large core biopsies

Question 16

What type of core biopsy should be embedded totally without cutting it?

Answer 16

Small core biopsies

Question 17

Identify the specimen for dermatology.

• Method of choice for surgical removal of melanomas but maybe sometimes removed by shaving.

Answer 17

Excisional biopsies

Question 18

When do you usually do a re-excision of a specimen?

Answer 18

a. margins are invaded by tumor
b. margins too close to the tumor such as in melanoma or basal cell carcinoma

Question 19

What size of punch biopsy is submitted as a whole?

Answer 19

3mm or less

Question 20

What size of punch biopsy are bisected or trisected depending on the size?

Answer 20

4mm or less

Question 21

What type of biopsy is done with non-skin specimens?

Answer 21

excisional biopsy

Question 22

Enumerate the 3 important determinants of neoplastic (tumor) specimens.

Answer 22

a. Overall size of the tumor
b. Depth of invasion into or through the tissue walls
c. Involvement of margins and lymph nodes

Question 23

Identify the method for fresh tissue examination:

• A process whereby a selected tissue specimen is immersed in a watch glass containing an isotonic salt solution.
• Carefully dissected with needle then separated using applicator stick

Answer 23

Teasing (dissociation)

Question 24

Identify the method for fresh tissue examination:

• Small pieces of tissue not more than 1mm in diameter is placed in a microscopic slide and forcibly compressed with another slide or with a cover glass.

Answer 24

Squash preparation

Question 25

Identify the method for fresh tissue examination: - The process of examining sections or sediments, wherein cellular materials are spread lightly over a slide by a wire loop or applicator, or by making an apposition smear with another slide.

Answer 25

Smear preparation

Question 26

What smear preparation uses an applicator stick or platinum loop and the material is rapidly and gently applied in a direct or zigzag line throughout the slide?

Answer 26

Streaking

Question 27

What smear preparation transfers a specimen to a clean slide and gently spread it into a moderately thick film by teasing the mucous strands apart with an applicator stick?

Answer 27

Spreading

Question 28

What smear preparation is done by a slight movement of the two slides in opposite directions may be necessary to initiate the flow of materials?

Answer 28

pull-apart

Question 29

What smear preparation whereby the surface of a freshly cut piece of tissue is brought into contact and pressed onto the surface of a clean glass slide?

Answer 29

Touch preparation (impression smear)

Question 30

A **cold chamber** kept at an atmospheric temperature of -10 to -20C.

Answer 30

Cryostat

Question 31

What freezing agent is the most rapid?

Answer 31

liquid nitrogen

Question 32

What is the first and most critical step in histotechnology?

Answer 32

Fixation

Question 33

killing, penetration, and hardening of tissues

Answer 33

fixation

Question 34

Enumerate the 2 basic mechanisms involved in fixation.

Answer 34

1. Additive fixation 2. Non-additive fixation

Question 35

What fixation mechanism whereby the chemical constituent of the fixative is **taken in and becomes part** of the tissue?

Answer 35

Additive fixation

Question 36

What fixation mechanism whereby the fixing agent is **not incorporated into the tissue** but alters the tissue composition and stabilizes the tissue by removing the bound water attached to H-bonds?

Answer 36

Non-additive fixation (alcoholic fixatives)

Question 37

In what pH does satisfactory fixation occur?

Answer 37

pH 6-8

Question 38

What is the ideal temperature for electronic microscopy?

Answer 38

0-4 ℃

Question 39

What temperature is used for rapid fixation of very urgent biopsy specimens?

Answer 39

60℃

Question 40

What temperature is used to fix tissues with tuberculosis?

Answer 40

100℃

Question 41

Most tissue can be cut and trimmed without prior fixation, EXCEPT for the ___.

Answer 41

brain

Question 42

Enumerate practical considerations of fixation.

Answer 42

1. speed 2. penetration 3. volume 4. duration of fixation