Course Outline
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- Introduction to Skin Histology
- Review of Skin Histomorphology
- The Importance of Understanding Skin Morphology
- Overview of Skin Layers
- Distinguishing between skin layers is an essential part of embedding, sectioning, and staining skin tissue.
- Place the three layers of skin in order, beginning with the outer layer.
- Skin Sample Identification
- Identifying Skin Sample Types
- Which of the choices best describes a skin sample that has a characteristic cone shape that reveals all skin layers?
- Skin Paraffin Processing
- Paraffin Processing of Formalin-Fixed Skin Samples
- Reviewing the Processing Steps
- Choosing Skin Processing Schedules
- Place the following processing steps in order from beginning to end.
- Skin Embedding Techniques
- Embedding Skin Tissue
- General Embedding Considerations
- Melted paraffin for embedding purposes should be maintained at 10-15º C above the melting point of the paraffin being used.
- Skin Embedding Techniques
- Skin excisions are embedded with the cut surface DOWN and gently pressed, edge to edge, so the tissue surface lays flat in one plane.
- Skin Sectioning Techniques
- Sectioning Skin Tissue
- Skin Sectioning Techniques
- Sectioning one block at a time and floating only one block's ribbon(s) on the water bath prevents the tech from accidentally placing one patient's tis...
- Skin Sectioning Protocols
- Skin Sectioning Artifacts
- Skin Sectioning Troubleshooting
- A histologist is reviewing the stained slides. She notices that several of the slides have tissue fragments and incomplete sections of skin. What is/a...
- Skin Staining - H&E and Special Stains
- Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) Stained Skin
- Identifying Skin Cells and Structures in Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) Stain
- Study the skin H&E image, then match the cells and structures to the layer that they are found in.
- Special Stains for Skin
- Special Stains for Skin: Fungi
- Special Stains for Skin: Bacteria
- Special Stains for Skin: Spirochetes
- Special Stains for Skin: Melanin and Amyloid
- Match the resulting color of the finished stain to the name of the stain and what it demonstrates.
- Conclusion to Skin Histology
- References
Additional Information
Level of instruction: Basic
Intended audience: Clinical laboratory histotechnologists, histotechnicians, and other medical laboratory personnel who have an interest in this subject matter. This course is also appropriate for histology and clinical laboratory science students, pathology residents, and practicing pathologists.
Author information: Diana Harrington, BS, HT(ASCP) is a histotechnologist at The Dermatology Center of Indiana. Since graduating from Indiana University, she has worked in various hospital laboratories as a medical technologist and histotechnologist. Her experience led her to teach IU students as a Clinical Education Supervisor and create the Histotechnology Program as Program Director for Keiser University in Florida.
Reviewer information: Brooke Eguia, BS, MS, HTL(ASCP) is the Pathology Technical Supervisor at Fairview Southdale Hospital in Edina, Minnesota. She graduated from St. Cloud State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in general biology and from Capella University with a Master of Science in Human Service with a specialization in Health Care Administration. During her time as an undergraduate, Brooke's interests and studies focused on histologic techniques and gross anatomic dissection. Acting as a primary health career mentor to high school students, Brooke satisfied her desire for training and teaching histotechnicians and also worked as adjunct faculty at Rasmussen College, as a Medical Assistant laboratory techniques instructor. Most recently, she has focused on proctoring histology students in clinical/classroom progress and exam preparation.
Course description: This course, the second in the dermatological specimens series, addresses the most common concerns of working with dermatology specimens and provides tips to create high quality slides for the dermatopathologist. Explored topics include optimal processing, sectioning, and recut protocols for skin biopsies, shaves, and excisions. The histomorphology of skin is reviewed and commonly used H&E and special stains are discussed. Possible sources of problems are also investigated and solutions are applied to prevent artifacts on skin sample slides.