What is the primary purpose of mounting in histology?

The primary purpose of mounting in histology is to produce a permanent, stable tissue slide. This process involves embedding tissue samples in a medium, which not only preserves the tissue but also allows for clear viewing and analysis under a microscope. By creating a stable environment for the tissue, mounting ensures that the morphological details of the cells are preserved over time, allowing for accurate pathological assessment and diagnosis.

While staining specimens does enhance visibility and contrast, it is typically a separate step that precedes mounting. Enhancing cellular detail is an outcome of proper staining and mounting techniques, but the main goal of mounting is preservation. Avoiding contamination is important in histological practices; however, it is a broader laboratory concern that needs to be addressed at multiple stages of sample handling and processing rather than a specific aim of the mounting procedure itself. Thus, the stability and permanence that mounting provides are crucial for the integrity and usability of histological slides.