What is the most common melting point used for paraffin wax?

The most common melting point used for paraffin wax in histopathology is 56 degrees Celsius. This temperature is ideal for embedding tissue specimens because it strikes a balance between providing sufficient softness and ensuring proper infiltration of the wax into the tissue. At 56 degrees Celsius, the paraffin wax is meltable yet remains firm enough to maintain the integrity of the embedded samples during cutting.

Using paraffin with a melting point of 56 degrees Celsius allows for effective tissue processing without damaging delicate structures. It facilitates optimal sectioning of samples as well, ensuring high-quality histological slides. While other melting points, such as 50 degrees or higher temperatures like 60 and 65 degrees Celsius, may be used in specific contexts or for particular types of tissue, 56 degrees Celsius is the standard for most routine histopathological applications.