Editing Microtome (section)

{{short description|Tool to cut fine samples for microscopy}}
{{for|the moth genus|Microtome (moth)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}

A '''microtome''' (from the Greek ''mikros'', meaning "small", and ''temnein'', meaning "to cut") is a [[cutting tool]] used to produce extremely thin slices of material known as ''sections'', with the process being termed '''microsectioning'''. Important in [[science]], microtomes are used in [[microscopy]] for the [[microscope slide|preparation of samples]] for observation under transmitted [[visible light|light]] or [[electron]] radiation.

Microtomes use [[steel]], [[glass]] or [[diamond]] [[blade]]s depending upon the specimen being sliced and the desired thickness of the sections being cut. Steel blades are used to prepare [[histological]] sections of animal or plant tissues for [[light microscopy]]. Glass knives are used to slice sections for light microscopy and to slice very thin sections for [[electron microscopy]]. Industrial grade diamond knives are used to slice hard materials such as [[bone]], [[teeth]] and tough plant matter for both light microscopy and for electron microscopy. Gem-quality [[diamond knife|diamond knives]] are also used for slicing thin sections for electron microscopy.

Microtomy is a method for the preparation of thin sections for materials such as bones, minerals and teeth, and an alternative to [[electropolishing]] and [[focused ion beam|ion milling]]. Microtome sections can be made thin enough to section a human hair across its breadth, with section thickness between 50&nbsp;[[nanometre|nm]] and 100&nbsp;[[micrometre|μm]].