Micro chatter/What causes microscopic cracks in tissue sections?

Micro chatter: fine microscopic cracks in the tissue


Causes

Remedies

Cutting too fast

  • Slow down sectioning speed

Block too cold

  • Do not let sit on ice too long; lightly warm the block with your finger

Poor tissue processing

  • Soak block on ice bath to soften overprocessed, hard tissue

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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