microtome

instrument

Also known as: ultramicrotome

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Last updated

June 30, 2026

Quick Summary

A microtome is an instrument used for cutting extremely thin slices of biological tissues. These sections are essential for microscopic examination, allowing scientists to study the structure and composition of plants and animals at a cellular level.1

Histology, the branch of biology concerned with tissues, relies heavily on microtomes. After tissues are removed from a body, they are sliced thinly using a microtome. These slices, called thin sections, are often stained to enhance contrast between cellular components, making them visible under a microscope. For even thinner sections needed for electron microscopy, an ultramicrotome is used.23

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Wilhelm His
In 1865 His invented the microtome, a mechanical device used to slice thin tissue sections for microscopic examination. He was the author of Anatomie menschlicher Embryonen, 3 vol. (1880–85; “Human Embryonic Anatomy”), considered the first accurate and exhaustive study of the development of the human embryo.
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In 1865 His invented the microtome, a mechanical device used to slice thin tissue sections for microscopic examination. He was the author of Anatomie menschlicher Embryonen, 3 vol. (1880–85; “Human Embryonic Anatomy”), considered the first accurate and exhaustive study of the development of the human embryo.
Read More