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