Knowledge Base › Troubleshooting Atlas › Microtomy
Section compression / wrinkling
Also known as: squashed sections, compressed ribbon
What it looks like
Sections appear shortened, crowded or concertina-folded; structures look compressed along the cutting axis.
Where it usually appears: Warm blocks, blunt blades, or too steep a clearance angle.
Likely causes
- Blade blunt or wrong clearance angle
- Block too warm/soft
- Sectioning too fast
- Section thickness too low for the tissue
Immediate checks
- Chill the block face on ice before cutting
- Move to a sharp part of the blade or change it
- Reduce clearance angle if excessive
- Cut slowly with a steady rhythm
Corrective action
- Re-chill and re-cut
- Float sections on a slightly warmer water bath to expand them gently
Preventive action
- Keep blocks cold on a cold plate/ice tray
- Change blades regularly
- Validate water-bath temperature
This atlas is for educational purposes for laboratory professionals. It does not replace your institutional SOPs, manufacturer instructions, validated protocols or pathologist judgment. Adapt any action to your laboratory and equipment.
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