What is the purpose of the vacuum infiltration step?

Study for the CAMLPR Histology Practice Test. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question has hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

Vacuum infiltration serves to impregnate the tissue with molten paraffin wax under reduced pressure. By removing air from spaces within and around the tissue, the paraffin can penetrate more completely and quickly, giving a uniform, well-embedded block for sectioning. This is especially helpful across different tissue types that may vary in density or porosity, ensuring even infiltration rather than uneven or incomplete embedding. This step follows dehydration and clearing, and its purpose is not to fix tissue, dehydrate, or clear, but specifically to enhance paraffin penetration.