American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Histotechnologist Practice Test

What is a cryostat primarily used for in histopathology?

1. To fix tissues

2. To cut frozen sections

3. To embed tissues

4. To stain sections

The correct answer is: To cut frozen sections

A cryostat is primarily used in histopathology to cut frozen sections of tissue. This device operates at very low temperatures, allowing for rapid freezing of tissue samples, which preserves cellular details better than other methods that involve chemical fixation. By freezing the tissue, the cryostat enables pathologists to obtain thin slices that can be used for immediate microscopic examination, often necessary in intraoperative consultations where a quick diagnosis is required. This technique is especially valuable for certain types of tissues and procedures, such as surgical margins during cancer resections, where the speed of obtaining a diagnosis is crucial. The ability to prepare and examine these sections quickly allows for timely clinical decisions. In contrast, the processes of fixing tissues, embedding them in paraffin, and staining sections are carried out using different equipment and techniques that follow the initial cutting of frozen sections in a cryostat. Each of these steps plays a specific role in the overall histological processing of tissue samples, but the cryostat's primary function is indeed to cut frozen sections.