Maricopa Community Colleges  HCE171   20042-20065 
Official Course Description: MCCCD Approval: 12/09/03
HCE171 20042-20065 LEC 2 Credit(s) 2 Period(s)
Histology Techniques Level 1
Principles of fixation and fixative solutions. Anatomic laboratory instrumentation and specimen handling, identification, and tracking protocols. Emphasis on gross examination processes, tissue processing protocols, and specialized processing techniques. Prerequisites: Admission to Histology Program or permission of program director. Corequisites: HCE170 and HCE172.
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MCCCD Official Course Competencies:
 
HCE171   20042-20065 Histology Techniques Level 1
1. Identify anatomic laboratory instrumentation. (I)
2. Describe basic specimen acquisition and handling protocols. (II)
3. Describe specimen identification and tracking protocols. (II)
4. Review gross examination processes. (III)
5. Describe the basic principles of fixation. (IV)
6. Identify the components, properties, and actions of fixative solutions. (IV)
7. Describe the stages and chemicals used in routine paraffin tissue processing protocols. (V)
8. Review specialized processing techniques. (VI)
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MCCCD Official Course Outline:
 
HCE171   20042-20065 Histology Techniques Level 1
    I. Instrumentation
        A. Dissection equipment
        B. Tissue processors
        C. Embedding stations/centers
        D. Microtomes
        E. Automated labeling systems
        F. Automated staining systems
        G. Automated coverslippers
      II. Specimen Acquisition and Handling
          A. Tracking protocols
          B. Identification protocols
        III. Gross Examination Processes
            A. Dissection criteria
            B. Sample selection
            C. Orientation basics
          IV. Fixative Solutions and Fixation Principles
              A. Aldehyde fixatives
                1. Components
                2. Properties
                3. Histologic actions
              B. Mercuric and heavy metal fixatives
                1. Components
                2. Properties
                3. Histologic actions
              C. Chromate fixatives
                1. Components
                2. Properties
                3. Histologic actions
              D. Picric fixatives
                1. Components
                2. Properties
                3. Histologic actions
              E. Non-aqueous fixatives
                1. Components
                2. Properties
                3. Histologic actions
              F. Proprietary fixatives
                1. Components
                2. Properties
                3. Histologic actions
            V. Paraffin Tissue Processing Protocols
                A. Processing stages
                  1. Fixation
                  2. Dehydration
                  3. Clearing
                  4. Infiltration
                B. Factors affecting processing
                C. Chemicals
                  1. Dehydration agents
                    a. Alcohols
                    b. Acetone
                    c. Dioxane
                    d. Cellusolve
                    e. Tetrahydrofuran
                    f. Proprietary formulations
                  2. Clearing agents
                    a. Xylene/toluene
                    b. Benzene
                    c. Xylene substitutes
                  3. Paraffin infiltration
                D. Tissue processors
                  1. Processing schedules
                  2. Maintenance
                  3. Errors in processing
                E. Alternate infiltration agents
                  1. Water soluble waxes
                  2. Celloidin
                  3. Double embedding methods and frozen sections
                  4. Resins and plastics
              VI. Specialized Processing Techniques
                  A. Electron microscopy
                  B. Other
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