Histopathology Artifacts Quiz
ANSWER CASE 26
A common artefact of cardiac muscle is transverse fragmentation of
myocardial fibres as shown in this micrograph. The artefact is not
seen in every heart sectioned, nor is it seen in endomyocardial
biopsies. Even in those cases where it is present there is
significant variation in the degree of fragmentation from one area
to another. There have been suggestions that it is the result of
microtomy, but the artefact cannot be eliminated by repeated careful
sectioning. So the actual cause of the artefact remains obscure. So
the correct answer is myocardial fragmentation.

© Roy C. Ellis 2004