Most commonly, the paraffin used for embedding tissues is kept at approximately:

• A. 50 C
• B. 60 C
• C. 70 C
• D. 40 C

Answer: (B)

Embedding relies on paraffin being in a fluid, molten state so it can fully infiltrate the tissue and provide solid support when it cools. Keeping paraffin at about 60°C strikes the right balance: it’s hot enough to stay melted and to penetrate tissue well, yet not so hot that it damages or distorts delicate structures. If the temperature is too low, around 50°C or below, the paraffin is more viscous and infiltration may be incomplete, leading to poor embedding and artifacts. If it’s too high, near 70°C, the extra heat can distort morphology or affect tissue integrity. So about 60°C is the optimal, commonly used temperature for paraffin embedding.