Frozen sections are sections of tissue that have been frozen before microtome slicing. The correct spelling of this term is "ˈfroʊzən ˈsɛkʃənz." The word "frozen" is pronounced "ˈfroʊzən" with the "oʊ" sound as in "go." The word "sections" is pronounced "ˈsɛkʃənz" with the "e" sound as in "set" and the "sh" sound. This term is commonly used in medical and scientific research to analyze tissue samples, providing detailed information about their structure and composition.
Frozen sections are a diagnostic technique used in pathology that involves the rapid freezing and subsequent sectioning of tissue samples in order to provide immediate microscopic examination. This procedure is typically performed during surgical procedures to rapidly assess the nature and extent of disease or abnormality within the excised tissue.
The frozen sections are created by freezing the tissue using a cryostat, a specialized machine capable of achieving extremely low temperatures. Once the tissue is frozen, it is thinly sliced into very thin sections using a microtome, allowing for detailed examination of cellular structures. These sections are then mounted on glass slides and stained with various dyes, facilitating the identification of specific cells or tissue components.
Frozen sections offer several advantages in pathology. First and foremost, they provide real-time evaluation, allowing surgeons to make immediate decisions regarding the surgical procedure or treatment plan. Additionally, frozen sections are particularly useful in cases where definitive diagnosis cannot be determined solely through clinical examination or preoperative imaging studies. They also aid in the identification of tumor margins, making them crucial in evaluating the completeness of tumor removal during surgery.
Overall, frozen sections play a critical role in the diagnosis and management of surgical patients. By providing a quick and accurate assessment of tissue samples, they enable clinicians to make informed decisions regarding patient care, leading to improved outcomes and timely intervention when necessary.
The word "Frozen Sections" originated from the process of freezing and analyzing tissue samples in pathology. The term "Frozen" refers to the method of cryopreserving or freezing the tissue sample before its analysis. This technique was developed to enable a rapid evaluation of tissues during surgery, allowing for immediate diagnosis without going through the traditional process of tissue fixation, embedding, and sectioning for histopathology analysis. Therefore, "Frozen Sections" refers to the frozen tissue samples that are cut into thin slices (sections) for examination under a microscope. The term "Frozen Sections" has been used since the early 20th century when the technique was first developed.