What is the purpose of fixation in tissue processing?

The primary purpose of fixation in tissue processing is to preserve the cellular structure and prevent decay. Fixation is a critical step that involves treating tissues with fixatives, which are chemical agents that stabilize proteins and nucleic acids. This stabilization is essential to maintain the integrity of the tissue's architecture and cellular components, ensuring that they do not degrade or undergo changes that could affect subsequent analysis or observation.

By preserving cellular structures, fixation allows for the accurate visualization of histological details during microscopic evaluation. The fixative penetrates the tissues, binding to cellular structures and preventing autolysis and putrefaction, which could otherwise occur post-mortem. This preservation is vital for diagnostic purposes, as it allows histotechnologists and pathologists to accurately identify diseases and conditions based on microscopic examination.

While other processes may enhance visibility or aesthetics, these are not the primary roles of fixation. The focus remains on preserving the tissue in a state that accurately reflects its original morphology for later analysis, making fixation an indispensable step in histological procedures.