Embedding
last authored: June 2010, Kimberly Ordinelli
last reviewed:
Introduction
Embedding holds the tissue in a block of wax so technologists can obtain sections. The mold chosen has to compared carefully with to the tissue. The tissue should be placed directly in the center with little space around it, with the tissue not touching the sides.
Orientation is the most important step while embedding. The pathologist assistant or pathologist will place the tissue in the cassette as it should be embedded, but the tissue could have been moved during handling, so ensuring the correct position is critical. Each different type of tissue need to be embedded in a certain way to attain the best visible presentation of the tissue.
Skin is placed on edge, with the dermis being the first thing cut into. Tube structures need to be embedded so the lumen is visible. Larger specimens need to be softly pushed down so the whole tissue will show up on the section. Using the cold spot on the embedding station will help hold the tissue in place and help form small crystals. The cassettes (with the identification number on it) get put on top of the mold and add more paraffin. Once the mold is filled, it is placed on a cyro console to chill before it used on the microtome.
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