TECHNIQUES FOR PRESERVATION OF GROSS

ANATOMY TISSUES

ANA 481: Laboratory techniques II

BY:
ERIC O AIGBGOGUN Jr., PhD

DEPARTMENT OF ANATOMY
FACULTY OF BASIC MEDICAL SCIENCES
ESUT MEDICAL COLLEGE
LEARNING OBJECTIVES

At the end of the lesson, the student is expected to:

 Define preservation
 Highlight the relevance of preserving gross tissue
 Describe the modern techniques of preserving gross tissues
 Compare and contrast the different techniques of preserving
gross tissues

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 Outline (1/3)
Venue: Anatomy BSc Class Date: January 30, 2023 Time: 10: 00 am – 12.30 pm

Activity Time Responsible

Introduction 10:00 –10:10 pm Lecturer

Session I
Attendance 10:10 – 10:15 am Course Rep

Learning Outcomes 10:15 –10:20 pm Lecturer

Session II:
Lecture Introduction 10:20 – 10:35 pm Lecturer
Series
Tissue preservation 10:35 – 11:00 pm Lecturer

Relevance of tissue preservation 11:00 – 11:25 pm Lecturer

Session III:
Problem Techniques for tissue preservation 11:25 – 113:45 pm Lecturer
solving
Questions and feedback 11:45 – 12:00 pm All
2/18/2024

3
Timekeeper: Course Reps
Notetakers: Students
Introduction
1. Pleasantries

2. Ground rules

3. Punishment for breaking the ground rules

Attendance – Roll Call ! ! ! !

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4
 INTRODUCTION

 Within the framework of medical education, anatomists use

human bodies to teach students, either by demonstrating
prosected specimens or by dissection of cadavers
 One of the most important prerequisites for the use of human
bodies and tissue specimen in educational settings is its
appropriate preservation.
 Preservation is considered appropriate to keep the samples
safe from harm, destruction or decomposition. This is achieved
by treating the tissues with special techniques 2/18/2024 5
 DEFINITION OF PRESERVATION

 Preservation is defined as an action to keep something ‘safe from harm,

destruction or decomposition’,
 Preservation covers more than the mere process of embalming, the use of
chemicals on tissue. It encompasses all consideration of the appropriate
storage, protection during use, and final disposal.
 Preservation could either be done naturally or artificially thus means of
preservation is divided into two (2)

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 NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL PRESERVATION

 Natural means of preservation include freezing, desiccation/exsiccation

either by dry cold or by dry heat, and the nature of the soil.

 Artificial means of preservation comprise the application of simple heat

or cold, powders, such as a sawdust bed mixed with zinc sulphate,
evisceration combined with immersion, drying, local incision and
immersion, arterial injections, cavity injections.
 Furthermore, simple immersion in alcohol, brine, etc., and sole arterial
injection, which can be combined with cavity treatment and/or
immersion. 2/18/2024 7
 PERIODS OF PRESERVATION

 Prior to the introduction of carbolic acid, or phenol, and later of formaldehyde,

the main preserving agents used in anatomies were alcoholic solutions of arsenic
and/or alumina salts in different concentrations.
 The concept of preservation of bodily tissues is believed to have originated from
the Egyptian practice of embalming during the first dynasty (3200BC-650AD)
 The second period of embalming history extends from AD 650 to 1861, and its
principal geographical area of practice and growth was Europe. This era is
termed the Period of the Anatomists, as the motive was to advance the
development of embalming techniques for the preservation of the dead to
permit detailed anatomical dissection and study.
 The third or modern period of embalming history extends from 1861 to the
present day. It is during this period that embalming knowledge, which had been
transferred from Europe to America during the previous period, finally reverted 8
2/18/2024
to its original use, principally for funeral purposes
 Outline (2/3)
Venue: Anatomy BSc Class Date: January 30, 2023 Time: 10: 00 am – 12.30 pm

Activity Time Responsible

Introduction 10:00 –106:10 pm Lecturer

Session I
Attendance 10:10 – 10:15 am Course Rep

Learning Outcomes 10:15 –10:20 pm Lecturer

Session II:
Lecture Introduction 10:20 – 10:35 pm Lecturer
Series
Tissue preservation 10:35 – 11:00 pm Lecturer

Relevance of tissue preservation 11:00 – 11:25 pm Lecturer

Session III:
Problem Techniques for tissue preservation 11:25 – 113:45 pm Lecturer
solving
Questions and feedback 11:45 – 12:00 pm All
2/18/2024

9
Timekeeper: Course Reps
Notetakers: Students
TECHNIQUES OF TISSUE PRESERVATION
 The choice of preservation method depends on factors such as intended
use, duration of storage, and ethical considerations.
 Hence, tissue can either be preserved by fixation, freezing, embalming,
alcohol preservation, plastination and use of silicon

 When choosing a preservation method, researchers and educators must

weigh the pros and cons based on the specific goals of their projects.
Ethical considerations, local regulations, and the intended use of the
specimens also play crucial roles in selecting an appropriate preservation
technique to be used.
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FORMALIN FIXATION

 The purpose of fixation is to preserve tissues permanently in as life-like a

state as possible. Fixation should be carried out as soon as possible after
removal of the tissues
 Description: Formalin, a solution of formaldehyde and water, is a common
fixative. Tissues are immersed in formalin, which crosslinks proteins,
preserving cellular structures.
 Advantages: Provides excellent tissue preservation, maintains cellular
architecture for extended periods.
 Considerations: Can cause tissue hardening, making dissection
challenging. Long-term exposure to formalin may pose health risks.
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FREEZING

 This is a means of preservation of tissue which involves exposing

sectioned tissues to extremely low temperature to halt decomposition
action of bacteria
 Description: Tissues are preserved by freezing at ultra-low temperatures,
often using liquid nitrogen or other cryoprotectants.
 Advantages: Suitable for short-term storage, preserves tissue in a near-
native state.
 Considerations: May lead to ice crystal formation, damaging cellular
structures. Not ideal for long-term storage due to potential deterioration
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 EMBALMING
 This technique is commonly used for the preservation of organs and
whole cadavers and in some cases tissue sections.This can be done before
the tissue section is cut
 Description: Embalming involves the injection of embalming fluids,
typically a mixture of formalin and other chemicals, into blood vessels to
preserve the body.
 Advantages: Effective for cadaver preservation in anatomy labs, provides a
lifelike appearance.
 Considerations: Formalin odor, potential tissue hardening, and limited
storage duration. Ethical considerations related to the use of embalming
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fluids
ALCOHOL PRESERVATION (DEHYDRATION)

 The use of alcohol for tissue preservation is peculiar to dehydration

technique which is a form of artificial means of preserving tissues.
 Description: Tissues are immersed in alcohol solutions, dehydrating and
preserving them. Dehydration is the chemical removal of water from the
specimen. Common dehydrating fluids are ethanol and acetone
 Advantages: Suitable for preserving soft tissues, helps prevent tissue
decay.
 Considerations: Gradual dehydration can cause tissue shrinkage. May not
be ideal for maintaining cellular details
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PLASTINATION

 Plastination is a recent technique for tissue preservation and it adopts the

use of plastics in delaying decomposition process.
 Description: Developed by Gunther von Hagens, plastination replaces
water and lipids with plastics, creating durable and odorless specimens.
 Advantages: Maintains excellent tissue structure, suitable for long-term
storage.
 Considerations: Labor-intensive and requires specialized equipment.
Some loss of color and flexibility in the specimens
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SILICONE INJECTION

 This is an advanced type of plastination which involves the replacement of

tissue fluid with silicon as an alternative to plastics
 Description: A method involving injecting silicone into blood vessels,
preserving the vascular network and tissue structure.
 Advantages: Preserves vascular anatomy effectively.
 Considerations: Limited in preserving soft tissues, may not capture
cellular details

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HEATING AND USE OF POWDERS

 Simple heat: Simple heat is the means employed to preserve

bodies by treatment of the tissues in slow drying in an oven
that is heated by a mixture of slaked lime. The tissues which
have shrunken and light in weight, are placed then stored. This
technique was earlier practiced by Capuchin Monastery near
Palermo, on the island of Sicily.
 Powders: In powder methods, the tissue is placed on a bed of
sawdust mixed with zinc sulfate or other preserving powder.
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 Outline (3/3)
Venue: Anatomy BSc Class Date: January30, 2023 Time: 10: 00 am – 12.30 pm

Activity Time Responsible

Introduction 10:00 –10:10 pm Lecturer

Session I
Attendance 10:10 – 10:15 am Course Rep

Learning Outcomes 10:15 –10:20 pm Lecturer

Session II:
Lecture Introduction 10:20 – 10:35 pm Lecturer
Series
Tissue preservation 10:35 – 11:00 pm Lecturer

Relevance of tissue preservation 11:00 – 11:25 pm Lecturer

Session III:
Problem Techniques for tissue preservation 11:25 – 113:45 pm Lecturer
solving
Questions and feedback 11:45 – 12:00 pm All
2/18/2024

18
Timekeeper: Course Reps
Notetakers: Students
RELEVANCE OF GROSS TISSUE PRESERVATION

 Preserving gross anatomy tissues is crucial for both teaching and

research purposes, ensuring that specimens maintain their structural
integrity over time
 Preserved tissues are continually used as teaching aids
 Peculiarities in pathological conditions are preserved and documented in
museums for learning purposes
 Research outcomes on living tissues are able to be stored and studied

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t h e
e n d

T H A N K Y O U
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