Which statement best describes the effect of cutting speed on section artifacts?

• A. Cutting A Paraffin Block Too Quickly Results In Chatter
• B. Blade Tilt Only
• C. Tilt Alone
• D. None

Answer: (A)

Pushing the block through the knife too quickly disrupts the smooth shear needed for clean sectioning. Excessive cutting speed creates dynamic forces and vibration at the knife-tissue interface, so the blade can momentarily lose stable contact with the block. This produces repeating irregularities along the cut surface known as chatter, appearing as fine, wavy lines or ridges that compromise section quality.

Other factors like blade tilt or focusing on tilt alone affect geometry or alignment rather than the rapid engagement and vibration that cause chatter, so they don’t best describe the observed artifact when speed is the variable. None is not accurate here because speed can indeed introduce chatter when overused.