Microtome Explained: The Tool Behind Ultra-Thin Tissue Sections

Microtome Explained: The Tool Behind Ultra-Thin Tissue Sections

Question 1. Preparation of the ground section of the tooth.
Answer:

• The labial surface of the tooth is ground down till the desired section is achieved using a coarse abrasive wheel.
• The coarse wheel is exchanged with the fine abrasive wheel.
• The tooth is further ground.
• An adhesive tape is wrapped around a wooden block with a sticky side outward.
• The grounded section of the teeth is stuck to it.
• A similar grinding procedure is repeated from the lingual surface.
• The finished ground section is soaked off with ether.
• It is then dried off for several minutes
• Longer drying leads to cracking.
• It is then mounted on microscopic slides.

Question 2. Microtome
Answer:

• It is a tool used to cut extremely thin slices of material, known as sections
• Used for preparation of samples

Blades used:

Applications:

• Traditional histological examination
• For frozen sections
• For electron microscopy
• For spectroscopy
• For fluorescence microscopy

Types:

Microtome knives:

1. Planar concave extremely sharp
2. Wedge-shaped More stable
3. Chisel shaped Has blunt edge