• Weigh the gland using an electronic scale which determines the weight in fractions of a gram.  If there is obvious fat, carefully trim the fat away before weighing. Weigh each parathyroid specimen separately if there is more than one gland.
• Measure (three dimensions) the gland.
• Take your sections for frozen section (if requested) only after the above two steps are complete.
• Photograph any adenoma greater than 2cm in diameter, or showing variegated or necrotic cut surface.
• Describe the gland (color, shape, consistency, nodularity, encapsulation) and any surrounding soft tissue (fat, muscle, thyroid, lymph node).
• Serially section across the short axis in 2-3 mm intervals.
• Note whether there appears to be a compressed rim of tissue (representing non-neoplastic gland) along the edge of an enlarged gland (easiest to identify on cut surface).

• Entirely submit or five cassettes (whichever is less).  Include the capsule in the sections. If there is more than one gland, submit each gland in a separate cassette.

Internal use only

Received without fixative/in formalin, labeled _____ and “_____”, is a __ g, __ x __ x __ cm _____ (encapsulation, shape, color) fragment of soft tissue.  The cut surface is _____ (color, nodularity, consistency).  There is no attached fat or muscle/an attached fragment of _____ (describe) soft tissue measuring __ x __ x __ cm.  Entirely submitted as follows:

FS#__ = frozen section

#__ & #__ = remainder of tissue

__ blocks, __ H&E