Electron microscopy: a brief history and review of current clinical application.

This chapter describes the historic development of techniques that has made it possible to use electron microscopy, principally transmission electron microscopy, for diagnostic purposes. It was described how the standard techniques for preparing tissue for light microscopy had been modified to make it possible to view the ultrastructural components of a cell, tissue, or organ that cannot be resolved with a light microscope. There is a discussion of the types of tissues and cells that were and are currently observed by electron microscopy for diagnostic purposes. All of the materials that are used in tissue preparation and the general protocols for processing the tissues are also included. There are also notes which describe steps that can be changed or modified and why depending on conditions and anticipated outcome.