What is the other name for the process of clearing in histopathology?

Clearing in histopathology refers to the process of removing alcohol from tissue samples in preparation for embedding them in paraffin or another medium. This step is essential because alcohol is hydrophilic, whereas the embedding medium is typically lipophilic. To facilitate the transition from alcohol to the embedding medium, the tissue must be cleared.

De-alcoholization, which is synonymous with the clearing process, involves using a clearing agent such as xylene or toluene to replace the alcohol and make the tissue compatible with the embedding media. This is crucial for ensuring that the tissue retains its structure and integrity for accurate microscopic examination.

The other options represent different processes in histopathology. Hydration refers to the process of reintroducing water to the tissue, embedding is the process of placing the tissue into a medium for sectioning, and decalcification is the process of removing calcium deposits from hard tissues to facilitate sectioning. Each of these processes is distinct and serves a different purpose in the preparation of tissue samples.