DIFFERENT WAYS TO SECTION A SPECIMEN
When we examine sections of familiar objects, it is usually easy to understand how they were cut and to reconstruct their original three-dimensional shape.
The papaya in the upper part of the figure was cut lengthwise, or longitudinally, along its longest axis.
The papaya in the lower part was cross-sectioned, or cut transversely, perpendicular to its longest axis.
If we had a series of longitudinal and transverse sections of a papaya, even someone unfamiliar with this fruit could reconstruct its overall shape and internal organization with reasonable accuracy.
The same principle applies to histological sections. By examining sections of tissues and organs in different planes, we can reconstruct the three-dimensional arrangement of their components and better understand how they are organized in space.
The papaya in the upper part of the figure was cut lengthwise, or longitudinally, along its longest axis.
The papaya in the lower part was cross-sectioned, or cut transversely, perpendicular to its longest axis.
If we had a series of longitudinal and transverse sections of a papaya, even someone unfamiliar with this fruit could reconstruct its overall shape and internal organization with reasonable accuracy.
The same principle applies to histological sections. By examining sections of tissues and organs in different planes, we can reconstruct the three-dimensional arrangement of their components and better understand how they are organized in space.