To minimize resistance for dense tissues like uterus, prostate, and thyroid, which orientation should be used?

Study for the CAMLPR Histology Practice Test. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question has hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

Minimizing cutting resistance comes from choosing the plane the knife meets in a way that lets it glide through the tissue smoothly. For dense tissues like uterus, prostate, and thyroid, presenting the block with a flat surface and the section plane at a diagonal to the blade lets you slice through the thick, fibrous components along their fibers rather than hammering straight into a dense mass. This reduces compression, chatter, and tearing and preserves the glandular and stromal architecture so the histology remains clear. Standing the tissue up to reveal a lumen would require cutting through the dense mass in an unfavorably oriented way, while a parallel arrangement or focusing on a superficial feature like a cyst doesn’t address the need to minimize resistance during the cut.