Histological stain

Histological Stain

Histological stain (pronunciation: his-to-lo-gi-cal stain) is a type of stain used in microscopy to enhance the contrast of biological tissues, making the microscopic structures in the tissue more visible and identifiable.

Etymology

The term "histological" is derived from the Greek words "histos" meaning tissue, and "logia" meaning study. The term "stain" comes from the Old English word "stænian", meaning to color or dye.

Types of Histological Stains

There are several types of histological stains, each with their own specific uses and properties. Some of the most commonly used histological stains include:

• Hematoxylin and Eosin stain (H&E stain): This is the most commonly used stain in medical diagnosis. Hematoxylin stains cell nuclei blue, while eosin stains the cytoplasm and extracellular matrix pink.

• Gram stain: This is used to differentiate bacteria into two large groups (Gram-positive and Gram-negative) based on the chemical and physical properties of their cell walls.

• Periodic acid-Schiff stain (PAS stain): This is used to stain complex carbohydrates, such as glycogen and mucins.

• Ziehl-Neelsen stain: This is used to identify acid-fast organisms, such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Related Terms

• Microscopy: The technical field of using microscopes to view objects and areas of objects that cannot be seen with the naked eye.

• Cytopathology: The study of disease at the cellular level.

• Histopathology: The study of changes in tissues caused by disease.

• Cytology: The study of cells, including their function, origin, structure, and pathology.

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