Micro chatter: fine microscopic cracks in the tissue.

Micro chatter: fine microscopic cracks in the tissue

Causes and 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
Microscopic view of pink-stained muscle tissue with visible striations and scattered dark purple nuclei.

Micro chatter: fine microscopic cracks in the tissue Causes and remedies