 |
|
Histopathology Artifacts Quiz
Specimens decalcified by mineral or organic acids must be adequately protected from the hydrolytic action of the acids by proper fixation. Digestion of cellular and other tissue components occurs much more rapidly when the tissue is unfixed or only partially fixed. Prolonged exposure to acid decalcifying agents will eventually damage well-fixed tissues, so accurate determination of end point of decalcification is essential. Sections subjected to over-decalcification such as the one shown here typically stain strongly with eosin, and show a marked loss of nuclear haematoxyphilia and nuclear and cytoplasmic detail is poorly preserved. The answer is over decalcification.
© Roy C. Ellis 2004