Freida L. Carson, PhD, HT(ASCP)
Department of Pathology (retired), Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, TX

Christa Hladik, AA, HT(ASCP)^cm, QIHC
Neuropathology and Immunohistochemistry, UT Southwestern Clinical Laboratories, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, TX

Keywords: processing, processor chamber, tubing, sponge artifact, overdehydration, H&E-stain

Upon completion of this activity, you will be able to:

• state the possible effects on H&E stains if water is present in the clearing agent on the tissue processor.
• state the appropriate processing method or medium foraelectron microscopy.
• relate the melting point of paraffin to hardness, section thickness, and ribboning quality.
• state why paraffin wax of small crystalline structure is important.
• describe the proper orientation when embedding skin, tubular structures, structures with a wall (eg, gallbladder), and bone.