Sample Preparation Services Glossary

The division of a primary specimen into smaller, equal sub-samples (aliquots) for storage, distribution, or parallel tes...

A pre-treatment step in immunohistochemistry that unmasks epitopes in formalin-fixed tissue to restore antibody-binding...

A mechanical separation technique in which a sample is spun at high speed to separate components by density.

The documented, unbroken sequence of handling and transfer of a biological specimen from collection through analysis, en...

The cutting of fresh or snap-frozen tissue into thin sections using a cryostat, typically for rapid intraoperative diagn...

A centrifugation technique used to concentrate cells from liquid specimens onto a glass slide for cytological examinatio...

A tissue processing step in which calcium mineral is removed from bone or calcified tissue specimens to allow sectioning...

The process of infiltrating and enclosing fixed tissue in a supporting medium—most commonly paraffin wax—to enable thin...

Acronym for Formalin-Fixed, Paraffin-Embedded; describes the standard method of preserving and storing tissue specimens...

The process of chemically preserving biological tissue to prevent autolysis and putrefaction, typically using formalin.

A chemical agent used to preserve biological specimens by cross-linking or denaturing proteins to prevent cellular degra...

The macroscopic examination, description, and dissection of surgical pathology specimens by a pathologist or trained ass...

Haematoxylin and Eosin staining; the standard histological stain used to visualise tissue morphology under light microsc...

The rupture of red blood cells releasing haemoglobin into the surrounding plasma or serum, which can interfere with labo...

Acronym for Immunohistochemistry; a laboratory technique that uses antibodies to detect specific antigens within tissue...

The technique of cutting tissue blocks into thin sections using a microtome for microscopic examination.

Any factor occurring before specimen analysis—such as collection method, transport conditions, or processing delays—that...

Acronym for Quantity Not Sufficient; a specimen rejection code indicating the submitted sample volume is inadequate for...

Acronym for Standard Operating Procedure; a documented, step-by-step instruction set governing a laboratory process to e...

The formal refusal by a laboratory to process a submitted specimen due to identified pre-analytical deficiencies that wo...