What is the purpose of decalcification in tissue processing?

The purpose of decalcification in tissue processing is to remove calcium deposits, which makes sectioning the tissue much easier. When dealing with tissues that contain significant amounts of calcium, such as bone or calcified tissue, the presence of these deposits can make it exceedingly challenging to create thin, even sections that are necessary for microscopic examination.

Decalcification softens the tissue by dissolving the mineral content, allowing for smoother sectioning with less risk of damaging the tissue architecture. This process is crucial to ensure that the histological features of the tissue are preserved and can be adequately examined under a microscope. Decalcified samples can then be stained more effectively, as the removal of calcium can enhance dye penetration and binding, leading to clearer and more informative histological images.