That’s Gross!

Evaluation of the wet tissue specimens is routine– very few pathologists have the opportunity to see the fixed tissue or directly influence how a biopsy specimen is sub-sampled for histological processing. In veterinary pathology, it is standard practice for technicians to perform grossing of biopsy specimens. Nevertheless, we insist that the pathologist has an active role in this process.

    o Key diagnostic information is apparent grossly, some of which might not be apparent histologically.

    o Optimized anatomical orientation – we get to decide exactly where and how the tissue is sectioned, which allows us to have precise knowledge of anatomic structures represented in each section and to provide the most accurate margin evaluation possible.