Electron microscopy of bone

Methods Cell Biol. 2013:113:59-79. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-407239-8.00004-5.

Abstract

Mineralized tissues like bone, dentin and mineralized cartilage are difficult to prepare for ultrastructural analysis. In general, the higher the level of mineralization is, the more difficult it is to obtain ultrathin sections of these tissue. Tissues with a low level of mineral, e.g. from young animals, are rather simple to prepare and sectioning is not that much of a problem. In the present chapter we describe step-by-step how to prepare mineralized tissues for ultrastructural examination.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bone and Bones / chemistry
  • Bone and Bones / ultrastructure*
  • Buffers
  • Decalcification Technique
  • Epoxy Resins / chemistry
  • Fixatives / chemistry
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Microscopy, Electron, Transmission / methods*
  • Microtomy
  • Plastic Embedding
  • Staining and Labeling
  • Tissue Fixation / methods

Substances

  • Buffers
  • Epoxy Resins
  • Fixatives