Direction: Answer the following questions correctly. Do not copy answer from the internet.

Strictly no
cheating.

1. Draw a rotary microtome: 4 pts

2. What are the different parts of the of microtome? Explain 2pts

 The clamp: This one is optional, but very useful. It holds the microtome to a table. It adds
stability and convenience, thereby making the microtome cuts more reproducible.
 The knife: This one looks like an old fashioned razor knife.
 The microtome: It has a central hole into which to place the specimen. A screw at the opposite
end moves a piston up, which in turn pushes the specimen up. The plate of the microtome acts
as a guide for the knife.
 The mold: A small brass cylinder serves as a mold for making paraffin blocks containing the
specimen. This paraffin block is then inserted into the hole of the microtome.
3. Why is it important to produce a thin slices of sections? Explain. 2pts
 Thin slices are used so that pathologists can clearly see individual cells for their assessment. Too
many layers of cells makes it difficult to focus and hard to see what changes have occurred in
the tissues.
4. What are the safety precautions to be followed in using the microtome? Explain. 2pts
 It is very important that staff are not distracted when using the microtome because of the risks
of injury from extremely sharp blades.
 It is preferable to have non-slip flooring in the vicinity of microtomes because, inevitably, wax
fragments will find their way onto the floor where they can produce a slippery surface.
 Use forceps or brush instead of fingers to pick up sections or wax fragments from the blade or
block face.
 Use hand wheel lock when changing blocks. The knife or blade should be removed from the
microtome when the instrument is left unattended or when cleaning the instrument.