In the label S95-6142-2, what does the final digit represent?

• A. Blocks #
• B. Section
• C. Year
• D. Patient ID

Answer: (A)

The trailing digit on a specimen label is used to identify the paraffin block number. In S95-6142-2, the last digit indicates which block from that case the tissue came from—the second block in this example. This helps lab staff distinguish and retrieve the correct physical block when processing or reviewing slides, since tissue from one specimen can be stored in multiple blocks. It isn’t indicating a section, a year, or a patient ID—the block number is the most logical fit for the final digit.