Cell pathology-histopathology - Essay Example

CELL PATHOLOGY-HISTOPATHOLOGY Tissue Embedding and Sectioning Background Histopathology de s the microscopic inspection of tissue samples to determine the appearance of disease or diseases. In clinical terms, histopathology refers to the microscopic assessment of prepared histological sections of tissue samples. Histopathology plays a pivotal role in the field of diagnostic pathology (Allen, & Cameron 2006, p.5). This technique examines stained tissues. Staining enhances the visibility of the specimen by increasing contrast among the various tissues, cells and organelles under study.

This procedure starts with collection of tissue samples. After collection of tissue samples, preparation of the collected sample for histological evaluation commences (Anthony, 1998).MethodologyLeica TP 1020, an automated tissue processor, facilitates fixation, dehydration and infiltration of the tissue sample (Hoppert, 2003). Tissue processing has four distinct steps namely: fixation, dehydration, clearing, embedding, and impregnation (Hoppert, 2003). Fixation aims at preserving the tissue by inhibiting autolysis and decomposition.

An ideal fixative, formalin, achieves this by hardening the tissue sample with minimal shrinkage, and allows for subsequent staining of the sample (An, and Martin 2003, p.15). Dehydration of the fixed tissue is possible via the introduction of the specimen in alcohol of varying concentrations. The purpose of this step is to remove water from the tissue sample, and ready the sample for embedding. Xylene, a clearing, agent eliminate the alcohol from the specimen in a process called clearing. .

T he alcohol free tissue sample passes through tubes containing molten paraffin wax. The wax replaces the clearing fluid in the tissue achieving infiltration. This stage marks the end of tissue processing.The processing of tissue occurs through molding and pouring of wax as a cover. This mould was to cool and solidify. This procedure embeds the tissue in solid media affording it support. This step is crucial for the production of blocks that will yield thin sections. The gyratory microtome produces ribbons containing thin, uniform slices of the tissue sample.

Placing the ribbon in warm water bath facilitates their flattening. By use of forceps, a thin slice of the specimen lifted and mounted on a clean glass slide. Finally, flooding the glass slide with eosin dye achieves staining (An, and Martin 2003, p.17).Clinical Application and RelevanceTissue processing aids a pathologist to diagnose a disease. Histology technicians, who act as assistants to the pathologists, apply tissue-processing techniques to prepare collected sample for microscopic inspection.

They use histological techniques in identification of metabolic bone disease, human papillomavirus infection and human prion disease (Matsui et al., 2011).Limitations and Future DevelopmentsProblems encountered in the histological techniques attributes to the manual procedure that is time consuming. The innovation of an automated tissue processor, which saves on time, solves the challenges presented by the manual procedures (Bancroft, & Gamble, 2008). The Leica TP 1020 automated tissue processor is the latest invention in the field of histopathology (Rothman, & Singson, 2012).

This tissue processor enables the processing of tissues overnight thus saving on crucial time. The machine also achieves the objective of time saving by carrying out all the tissue-processing stages at a point without the need of moving the specimen.ReferencesAllen, D. C., & Cameron, R. I. (2004). Histopathology specimens: clinical, pathological and laboratory aspects. [New York], Springer.An, Y. H., & Martin, K. L. (2003). Handbook of histology methods for bone and cartilage. Totowa, N.J., Humana Press.

Anthony, P. P. (1998). Diagnostic pitfalls in histopathology and cytopathology practice. London, Greenwich Medical Media.Avioli, L. V., & Krane, S. M. (1998). Metabolic bone disease and clinically related disorders. San Diego, Academic Press. Bancroft, J. D., & Gamble, M. (2008). Theory and practice of histological techniques. Philadelphia, PA, Churchill Livingstone/Elsevier.Carter, E. (2001). Everything you need to know about human papillomavirus. New York, Rosen Pub. Group.Crocker, J., & Murray, P. (2003). Molecular biology in cellular pathology.

Chichester, Angleterre, J. Wiley & Sons.Hoppert, M. (2003). Microscopic techniques in biotechnology. Weinheim, Wiley-VCH.Matsui, Y, Satoh, K, Miyazaki, T, Shirabe, S, Atarashi, R, Mutsukura, K, Satoh, A, Kataoka, Y, & Nishida, N 2011, High sensitivity of an ELISA kit for detection of the gamma-isoform of 14-3-3 proteins: usefulness in laboratory diagnosis of human prion disease, BMC Neurology, 11, p. 120, MEDLINE with Full Text, EBSCOhost, viewed 22 March 2012.Rothman, J. H., & SIngson, A. (2012). Caenorhabditis elegans cell biology and physiology.

Waltham, MA, Academic Press.