The use of paraffin embedding technology

Paraffin embedding method is a conventional method for making optical microscope slides. It has many advantages. It is easy to operate and master.It also can be used for continuous sectioning. The embedded tissues can be preserved for a long time.

The paraffin used as the embedding tissue should be selected not only because of the different climate, but also closely related to the hardness of the tissue. The hard tissue should be embedded with paraffin with higher hardness. On the contrary, the soft tissue should be embedded with paraffin with lower hardness. Its melting point is generally required to be around 60 degrees.

The paraffin used for embedding should not be heated too high to keep it from solidifying. High temperature will easily burn the tissue, make it hard，brittle and curl, shrink and deform, which is not conducive to sectioning, and even affect diagnosis. In addition, pay attention to whether the temperature of the embedded wax and the temperature of the tissue itself are appropriate. Inconsistent temperature can often lead to the phenomenon of the tissue and surrounding paraffin cracking, which can not achieve the effect of embedding.

The amount of paraffin used for embedding should be controlled to ensure that the paraffin is just used up after the embedding is completed. For embedding, the diseased surface of the tissue should be placed below, and the tissue should be flattened as much as possible. The tissue can be gently pressed with tweezers without damaging the tissue.