What do the abbreviations like wm, cs, and ls mean in descriptions of microscope slide specimens?
October 24, 2011
Types of permanent prepared microscope slides are described by standard abbreviations. Here is a list of the most commonly used abbreviations and their meanings:
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|
wm |
Whole mount (entire specimen or organism) |
|
st |
Stained |
|
ls |
Longitudinal section |
|
cs |
Cross-section |
|
sec |
Section |
|
sm |
Smear |
|
sq |
Squashed preparation |
Updated 12/18/13
