Knowledge Base › Troubleshooting Atlas › Microtomy
Tissue tearing / holes in the section
Also known as: ragged sections, pulls, splits
What it looks like
Irregular tears, holes or pulled-out areas in the section, not aligned with the cutting direction.
Where it usually appears: Under-processed or contaminated blocks, hard inclusions, or a damaged blade.
Likely causes
- Under-processed / poorly infiltrated tissue
- Hard particles (calcium, sutures, grit)
- Nicked blade
- Block dried out on storage
Immediate checks
- Move to a fresh part of the blade
- Inspect for calcified/foreign material
- Soak the block face on ice-water briefly
Corrective action
- Reprocess under-infiltrated tissue
- Decalcify calcified areas; remove sutures at grossing
Preventive action
- Adequate processing and reagent rotation
- Remove staples/sutures at grossing
- Store blocks correctly
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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