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