What is the primary focus of the decalcification process?

The primary focus of the decalcification process is to remove calcium from bones. This is a crucial step in histopathology because the presence of calcium can interfere with the ability to obtain clear and defined tissue sections suitable for microscopic examination. Decalcification allows for better penetration of embedding media, such as paraffin, and is essential for preserving the tissue architecture while facilitating detailed analysis of cellular structures and pathological changes.

When bones or calcified tissues are decalcified, various chemicals, often acidic in nature, are used to effectively dissolve calcium without significantly degrading the overall tissue structure. This enables pathologists to examine cellular details and detect abnormalities that would otherwise be obscured by hard, calcified tissues.