What is the primary purpose of using Carbowax in histopathology?

Carbowax, which is a polyethylene glycol (PEG) compound, is primarily used for embedding tissue samples in histopathology. Its role in the embedding process is crucial because it provides excellent support to the tissue specimens during sectioning, ensuring that thin slices can be made without damaging the tissue architecture. Carbowax has advantageous properties such as being low in toxicity and providing good penetration into the tissue, which aids in maintaining the morphology and biochemical integrity of the samples.

When it comes to other options, while dehydration agents are necessary in the tissue processing workflow, Carbowax does not fulfill that specific function. Similarly, blocking agents are typically used in various staining techniques to prevent non-specific binding, and staining agents are used to visualize tissues under a microscope. These roles are distinct from the embedding function that Carbowax serves in preparing tissue for further analysis. Therefore, the main reason Carbowax is favored in histological practices is due to its effective performance in the embedding of tissue samples.