Processing for the histology lab begins after the macroscopic cut with the dehydration of specimens.Preparation of histological sections involves a large number of steps, after which the sections undergo H&E staining and are submitted to pathologists for diagnosis. As needed, pathologists may request a variety of special staining procedures, most of which are done by hand.
Histology is also responsible for frozen section diagnostics. During an operation, tissue specimens are quickly tested using special cutting and staining techniques. The surgeon then continues the operation in response to the diagnosis based on the frozen section procedure.
