What is the section thickness range recommended for lipids?

• A. 8-10
• B. 2-4
• C. 12-14
• D. 16-18

Answer: (A)

Lipids are best demonstrated when tissue is preserved in its natural lipid content, which requires avoiding routine paraffin processing that dissolves lipids. That’s why lipids are shown in frozen tissue sections cut with a cryostat. The typical thickness used for these lipid-stained frozen sections is eight to ten micrometers. This range strikes a balance: it’s thin enough for clear visualization and even dye penetration with lipid-specific stains, yet thick enough to maintain tissue integrity during cutting and handling.

Cutting too thin can make the sections fragile and prone to tearing, while cutting too thick can hinder stain penetration and reduce resolution, making lipid droplets harder to visualize clearly.