See Also: Fixative(health)
fixative(medicine)
fixative(dictionary)
fixative(dictionary)
Hermann's fixative(medicine)
glutaraldehyde fixative(medicine)
formaldehyde fixative(medicine)
Marchi's fixative(medicine)
Muller's fixative(medicine)
Newcomer's fixative(medicine)

Fixative (health)


A medium such as a solution or spray that preserves specimens of tissues or cells. Most biopsies and specimens removed at surgery are fixed in a solution such as formalin (dilute formaldehyde) before further processing takes place. Other common ingredients used in fixatives are alcohol, mercuric chloride, potassium dichromate and sodium sulfate.