American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Histotechnologist Practice Test

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What is recommended for transporting unfixed tissue over long distances?

  1. Formaldehyde

  2. Zinc salts

  3. Michel transport medium

  4. EDTA

The correct answer is: Michel transport medium

The recommendation for transporting unfixed tissue over long distances is Michel transport medium. This medium is specifically designed to preserve the structural integrity and viability of unfixed tissues while they are being transported. Michel transport medium helps maintain the cellular architecture and prevents degradation during transit, which is critical for subsequent histological evaluation and diagnosis. Formaldehyde is a fixative that begins the process of cell preservation but is not suitable for transportation since it can cause tissue artifacts. Zinc salts can serve as a fixative as well, but they are not typically used for long-distance transportation of unfixed samples. EDTA, while it is effective in preventing coagulation and can chelate metal ions, does not effectively preserve the overall tissue structure in the way Michel transport medium is specifically formulated to do. Thus, Michel transport medium stands out as the best option for transporting unfixed tissue samples, ensuring that they arrive in a suitable condition for further processing and analysis.