The broad objective of tissue fixation is to preserve cells and tissue components in a “life-like state” and to do this in such a way as to allow for the preparation of thin, stained sections. For practical purposes fixation aims to prevent or arrest the degenerative processes which commence as soon as a tissue is deprived of its blood supply. Autolysis, which results in tissue digestion by intracellular enzymes released when organelle membranes rupture, and bacterial decomposition or putrefaction which is brought about by microorganisms which may already present in the specimen, are processes that must be prevented and the factors affecting stabilization include temperature, pH, sample size, and the size and types of stabilizer
