title: Photography of medical specimens: experiences from teaching cardiovascular pathology.
abstract: Preparation of high-quality 35-mm slides for the teaching of cardiovascular pathology involves little more time and expense than the preparation of poor-quality slides. Attention to proper focusing and exposure times, the use of diffusion screens to eliminate reflections, and the use of nonobtrusive black backgrounds are recommended. Specimens should be fixed before being photographed, and perfusion-fixation is recommended for cases in which tomographic dissections are performed. Hearts dissected by the inflow-outflow method may require pinning so that specific abnormalities may be demonstrated optimally. Lesions may be highlighted with probes and arrows or by comparison with a normal specimen. Use of composite slides is particularly recommended for visual conceptualization of mechanisms and pathogenesis of disease. These techniques are also applicable for the preparation of teaching slides in areas of pathology other than cardiovascular.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905.
authors.forename: W D
authors.initials: WD
authors.lastname: Edwards
mesh_terms: D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D009206:Myocardium / Q000473:pathology*; D010781:Photography / Q000379:methods*; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000379:methods; D013664:Teaching Materials