Compression/Why are my tissue sections distorted?

Compression: distorted or folded appearance


Causes

Remedies

Cutting too fast

  • Slow down sectioning speed

Block too warm

  • Chill on ice or cold tray

Dull blade

  • Move to an unused area of the blade, or insert a new blade

Locking mechanisms loose on microtome

  • Verify locking mechanisms are tight

Blade angle too high

  • Reduce blade angle in 1-degree increments

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