In histotechnology, what is the primary goal of embedding?

The primary goal of embedding in histotechnology is to preserve tissue structure for analysis. During the embedding process, tissues are infiltrated with a medium, typically paraffin or resin, which solidifies to support the specimen. This support allows for very thin sections to be cut from the tissue block without damaging its architecture. Preserving the integrity of cellular structures is crucial for accurate microscopic evaluation and diagnosis, as it ensures that the morphological features of the cells and tissues are maintained throughout processing and staining.

While enhancing color contrast in staining can be an important factor in histology, it is a secondary function related to the staining procedure that follows embedding rather than the embedding itself. Similarly, quicker processing of samples and facilitating digital imaging of slides are practical considerations that may arise from efficient embedding techniques, but they do not represent the core purpose of embedding. The fundamental objective is always to ensure that the tissue is adequately preserved for the detailed histopathological analysis that follows.