Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS) Practice Exam

What is histology "cassette" used for?

1. Hold tissue during processing

2. Cut tissue after processing

3. Control the flow of work in the department

4. Program the automatic tissue process

The correct answer is: Hold tissue during processing

The histology "cassette" serves a crucial role in the processing of tissue samples. It is specifically designed to hold and support the tissue specimen during the various stages of processing. The cassette ensures that the tissue remains in a fixed position, providing a secure container as the sample undergoes fixation, dehydration, and embedding in paraffin or other media. This is essential for maintaining the integrity and orientation of the tissue, which directly impacts the accuracy and quality of histological sections obtained during later cutting. The other possibilities do not accurately describe the primary function of a histology cassette. While the act of cutting tissue is performed after processing, it is done with a microtome, not the cassette. The control of workflow in the department involves many factors, including scheduling and task management systems, but is not the main purpose of a histology cassette. Lastly, programming automatic tissue processors is a function carried out by specific machinery and does not relate to the role of the cassette itself. Thus, a histology cassette's main job is to hold and safeguard tissue specimens throughout the processing phase.