PLASTIC EMBEDDING Meaning and
Definition
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Plastic Embedding refers to a technique commonly employed in the field of histology and microscopy, whereby biological specimens are preserved and prepared for observation under a microscope by embedding them in a plastic medium. This process allows for the preservation, protection, and preparation of delicate tissues or structures, enabling them to be accurately examined and analyzed.
The plastic embedding technique involves several steps. First, the specimen is typically dehydrated using ethanol or acetone to remove water content. This is followed by infiltration, during which the specimen is impregnated with a plastic resin, such as epoxy or acrylic. The infiltrated specimen is then carefully oriented and placed into a mold containing liquid resin.
Next, the mold is heated or polymerized, causing the resin to solidify and form a hard block, encasing the specimen completely. Once the plastic has hardened, thin sections of the embedded specimen can be cut using a microtome. These sections are then placed on glass slides, typically stained or mounted, and observed under a microscope.
Plastic embedding offers several advantages over other embedding methods, such as paraffin embedding. It provides excellent tissue preservation, allowing for detailed microscopic analysis without distortion or shrinkage. The resultant plastic-embedded sections are also more durable and can withstand various staining and immunohistochemical techniques. Moreover, plastic embedding facilitates long-term storage of specimens, preventing their degradation over time.
Overall, plastic embedding is an invaluable technique in histology, allowing researchers and pathologists to study biological specimens with enhanced clarity, accuracy, and longevity.
Common Misspellings for PLASTIC EMBEDDING
- olastic embedding
- llastic embedding
- -lastic embedding
- 0lastic embedding
- pkastic embedding
- ppastic embedding
- poastic embedding
- plzstic embedding
- plsstic embedding
- plwstic embedding
- plqstic embedding
- plaatic embedding
- plaztic embedding
- plaxtic embedding
- pladtic embedding
- plaetic embedding
- plawtic embedding
- plasric embedding
- plasfic embedding
- plasgic embedding
Etymology of PLASTIC EMBEDDING
The word "plastic" comes from the Latin word "plasticus", which means "capable of being shaped or molded". It was adopted into English from French in the 17th century and initially referred to a moldable substance made from a specific resinous material. Over time, it came to describe a wide range of materials that can be shaped or molded through heat or pressure.
The term "embedding" traces its origin to the Old English word "embedden", which means "to plant in". It combines the prefix "en-", which denotes "in or into", and the verb "bedden", meaning "to put or place". The concept of embedding refers to the process of immersing an object into a medium, where it becomes fixed or enclosed.
When combined, "plastic embedding" refers to the process of embedding or encasing an object into a moldable or plastic material that can be shaped and hardened.
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