ASCP Microtomy and Cryostat Techniques 2

Question 1

What is the embedding medium used for frozen sections in a cryostat?

Accepted Answer

OCT (Optimal Cutting Temperature) compound

Answer

Paraffin wax

Answer

Agarose gel

Answer

Glycerin

Question 2

What microtomy artifact is caused by a nick or defect in the cutting blade?

Accepted Answer

Score lines (linear streaks through the section)

Answer

Chatter

Answer

Venetian blind effect

Answer

Tissue folding

Question 3

Which of the following actions helps prevent tissue sections from folding during microtomy?

Accepted Answer

Chilling the block face on ice before cutting

Answer

Using a dull blade

Answer

Warming the paraffin block

Answer

Increasing section thickness

Question 4

What is the angle of the blade (clearance angle) typically set to on a rotary microtome?

Accepted Answer

3–8°

Answer

0–2°

Answer

15–20°

Answer

25–30°

Question 5

Which stain is most commonly used for rapid intraoperative frozen section evaluation?

Accepted Answer

Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E)

Answer

Masson's trichrome

Answer

PAS stain

Answer

Gram stain

Question 6

What is the purpose of the anti-roll plate in a cryostat?

Accepted Answer

To prevent the cut section from rolling up

Answer

To hold the tissue block in place

Answer

To cool the blade

Answer

To clean the blade edge