Permanent surgical specimens are usually sent to the pathologist in which solution?

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Multiple Choice

Permanent surgical specimens are usually sent to the pathologist in which solution?

Explanation:
Preserving tissue architecture for long-term histology requires a fixative that stops decay and keeps cellular details intact through processing to paraffin blocks and slides. Formalin, typically 10% neutral buffered formalin, does this well: it cross-links proteins, stabilizing structure so the tissue can be dehydrated, cleared, and embedded without losing morphology. This makes the specimen suitable for permanent sections and archival storage. Saline isn’t a fixative; it’s just a buffered fluid used for washing or transport and won’t prevent autolysis. Alcohol can fix tissue but tends to cause hardening and shrinkage, which can distort details needed for routine permanent slides. Glycerin isn’t used as a fixative for permanent histology; it’s more of a humectant or mounting medium and doesn’t provide the same tissue preservation for embedding. So, formalin is chosen because it best preserves shape and detail for paraffin embedding and long-term archival.

Preserving tissue architecture for long-term histology requires a fixative that stops decay and keeps cellular details intact through processing to paraffin blocks and slides. Formalin, typically 10% neutral buffered formalin, does this well: it cross-links proteins, stabilizing structure so the tissue can be dehydrated, cleared, and embedded without losing morphology. This makes the specimen suitable for permanent sections and archival storage.

Saline isn’t a fixative; it’s just a buffered fluid used for washing or transport and won’t prevent autolysis. Alcohol can fix tissue but tends to cause hardening and shrinkage, which can distort details needed for routine permanent slides. Glycerin isn’t used as a fixative for permanent histology; it’s more of a humectant or mounting medium and doesn’t provide the same tissue preservation for embedding.

So, formalin is chosen because it best preserves shape and detail for paraffin embedding and long-term archival.

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