HISTOPATH: DECALCIFICATION

Decalcification is the procedure whereby calcium or lime salts are removed from tissues

• TRUE
• FALSE

S1: Decalcification should be done after fixation and before impregnation. S2: It ensures and facilitates the normal cutting of sections and prevents obscuring the microanatomic detail of such sections by bone dust and other cellular debris.

• BOTH ARE TRUE
• BOTH ARE FALSE
• S1 IS TRUE
• S2 IS TRUE

Bones and decalcified tissues are cut and trimmed with a?

• Fine fret-saw for cutting while hand razor for trimming
• Fine fret-saw for trimming while hand razor for cutting

Microcalcifications usually appear as ________ after hematoxylin staining

• dark purple granular masses with lighter purple halos
• light purple granular masses with dark purple halos

The resistance when a tissue surface with small foci of calcification is sectioned with a microtome knife (remedy: remove the block from the chuck and place it face down on a cotton pad or gauze saturated with 10% hydrochloric acid for approximately an hour)

• Grating sensation
• Burning sensation

Good decalcifying agent: must be capable of removing calcium salts from tissues completely without producing considerable destruction of cells and tissue components & without adversely affecting the staining capacity of the cell

• True
• False

Calcium may be removed by:

• Acids
• Chelating agents
• Ion exchange resins
• Electrical ionization (electrophoresis)

Decalcification Temperature for Impaired nuclear staining of Van Gieson’s stain for collagen fibers

• 37℃
• 55℃
• 18℃-30℃

Decalcification Temperature for tissue that will undergo complete digestion within 24-48 hours

• 37℃
• 55℃
• 18℃-30℃

Decalcification Temperature for optimum temperature

• 37℃
• 55℃
• 18℃-30℃