Qu’est-ce que l’Anatomopathologie — What is Anatomopathology ?

This video provides an overview of the fundamental steps and techniques in anatomic pathology. It begins with the macroscopic examination of surgical specimens and progresses through key tissue processing stages, including fixation, embedding, sectioning, and staining. The video also introduces the foundational principles of immunohistochemistry (IHC).
1. Macroscopic Examination (Grossing)
The first step in tissue evaluation involves the macroscopic (gross) examination of surgical specimens. This process includes:
  • Describing the specimen’s size, shape, color, and consistency 
  • Identifying lesions or abnormal areas 
  • Selecting representative sections for microscopic analysis 
2. Tissue Processing
To prepare tissue for microscopic examination, it must undergo several processing steps:
  • Fixation: Preserves tissue architecture and prevents degradation. (Formalin is the most commonly used fixative). 
  • Embedding: After dehydration and clearing, tissues are infiltrated with paraffin wax to maintain structure. 
  • Sectioning: Thin sections (typically 3–5 µm) are cut using a microtome and placed on glass slides. 
  • Staining: Stains such as hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) enhance contrast, allowing visualization of cell and tissue morphology. 
3. Introduction to Immunohistochemistry (IHC)
IHC is a powerful technique that uses antibodies to detect specific antigens in tissues. It plays a critical role in:
  • Differentiating tumor types 
  • Identifying prognostic and predictive markers 
  • Guiding targeted therapy