A histologic tissue sample support assembly (10) includes a tissue cassette (12), a frame (14), and a lid (18). The tissue cassette (12) has a recess (11) including a body with at least one side wall (16a, 16b, 16c, 16d) and a bottom wall (12b) and is formed of material that can be successfully sectioned in a microtome and is resistant to degradation from solvents and chemicals used to fix, process and stain tissue. The tissue cassette (12) is movably coupled to the frame (14) by a frame-cassette connector (64). The lid (18) is coupled to a peripheral portion of the frame (14) by a lid-frame connector (36). The lid (18) and the tissue cassette (12) are capable of moving from a first position to a second position with respect to the frame (14), and in the second position the bottom wall (12b) and at least a portion of the side wall (16a, 16b, 16c, 16d) extend beyond a bottom edge (14e) of the frame (14) for sectioning in a microtome.