A technique for cutting slices from femoral heads and other awkwardly shaped bones

For cutting thin, parallel slices from round and other awkwardly shaped bones, we have developed an useful aid by modifying the Microslice II cutting saw primarily designed for geological or metallurgical purposes. To ensure a good grip of the bone, the specimen is embedded in a bolus of wax in a cylindrical container and is advanced along the container by a screw plunger toward the cutting blade of the machine. It is thus possible to cut even from awkwardly shaped bones 2-30 mm thick parallel slices suitable for decalcified or undecalcified histological sections and also for radiodensitometry or quantitative microradiography.