Preparation of undecalcified bone sections for auto- and microradiography

• DOI: 10.1007/bf02012532
• Publication Date: 2005-08-11T18:32:48Z
• Authors: C. M. McQueen; I. B. Monk; P. W. Horton; D. A. Smith
• Keywords: Lapping; Compact bone; Sample (material)

The preparation of thin, parallel-sided sections of undecalcified bone of known thickness for quantitative auto- and micro-radiography is described. To overcome the tendency of the bone to fracture when stressed, it is essential that the fixed sample of bone should be adequately penetrated by the embedding material and that the mounting material should not contract away from the edge of the bone. Minimum stress must be applied to the sample when cutting or the bone may be shattered. The method described, using a gravity feed to a low speed circular saw, has been found to be suitable. Final polishing of the surfaces of the specimen was carried out on a modified lapping machine. Large numbers of sections can be prepared in a relatively short time by the method and this is essential to obtain an adequate number of samples for statistical analysis.