Connective Tissue Staining

Question 1

What is the main purpose of elastic staining techniques?

Answer 1

To demonstrate pathological changes in elastic fibers.

Question 2

What is the primary reagent used in the Gomori Aldehyde Fuchsin stain?

Answer 2

Aldehyde fuchsin.

Question 3

What color do elastic fibers stain with Gomori Aldehyde Fuchsin?

Answer 3

Royal purple.

Question 4

What is the preferred fixative for tissue in Gomori Aldehyde Fuchsin staining?

Answer 4

10% neutral buffered formalin.

Question 5

How does PAS staining contribute to the examination of basement membranes?

Answer 5

It demonstrates the carbohydrate component of the basement membrane.

Question 6

What is the purpose of Toluidine Blue stain?

Answer 6

For the demonstration of metachromatic tissue elements, including mast cells.

Question 7

What principle does Toluidine Blue staining rely on?

Answer 7

Metachromasia Theory.

Question 8

What color do mast cell granules stain with Toluidine Blue?

Answer 8

Red/purple (violet).

Question 9

What is the purpose of reticulin staining?

Answer 9

For the demonstration of reticulin fibers.

Question 10

What is the principle behind Gordon & Sweet’s Silver Impregnation?

Answer 10

Metallic silver is deposited on aldehyde groups of reticulin fibers.

Question 11

What is the first step in the silver impregnation process for reticulin fibers?

Answer 11

Oxidation.

Question 12

What color do reticulin fibers stain with Gordon & Sweet’s Silver Impregnation?

Answer 12

Black.

Question 13

What is the recommended section thickness for paraffin wax sections in staining procedures?

Answer 13

4-5 µm.

Question 14

What is the role of potassium permanganate in the silver impregnation process?

Answer 14

To oxidize or expose aldehyde groups on reticulin fibers.

Question 15

What is the effect of metachromasia on tissue elements during staining?

Answer 15

They stain a different color from the dye solution.

Question 16

True or False: Alcohol can be used for dehydration in most metachromatic staining procedures.

Answer 16

False.

Question 17

Fill in the blank: Reticular fibers are most abundant in the _______.

Answer 17

liver, spleen, and kidney.

Question 18

What is the function of connective tissue?

Answer 18

To provide structural and metabolic support for other tissues and organs.

Question 19

What do adipose cells do?

Answer 19

Synthesize and store lipid.

Question 20

What type of collagen is found in tendons, bone, and adult skin?

Answer 20

Type 1 collagen.

Question 21

What is the composition of ground substances in connective tissue?

Answer 21

Transparent material mainly composed of mucopolysaccharides.

Question 22

What is the primary function of the basement membrane?

Answer 22

To provide support for epithelium.

Question 23

What are the three main types of connective tissue fibers?

Answer 23

• Collagen
• Elastic fibers
• Reticular fibers

Question 24

What staining method is used to demonstrate collagen fibers?

Answer 24

Masson Trichrome Stain.

Question 25

What is the purpose of the Masson Trichrome Stain?

Answer 25

For the demonstration of collagen fibers.

Question 26

What is the principle behind Masson Trichrome Stain?

Answer 26

Physical (porosity) and Chemical (salt linkage) Theories.

Question 27

What is the result of the Masson Trichrome Stain?

Answer 27

* Nuclei: blue/black * Muscle, Cytoplasm, RBCs: red * Collagen: green or blue

Question 28

What is Verhoeff Van Gieson stain used for?

Answer 28

For the demonstration of elastic fibers.

Question 29

What is the principle of Verhoeff Van Gieson stain?

Answer 29

Chemical theory involving hydrogen bonding.

Question 30

What are the components of the staining solution for Verhoeff's Iron Hematoxylin?

Answer 30

* 5% alcoholic hematoxylin * 10% ferric chloride * Verhoeff's iodine

Question 31

What happens during the differentiation step in the Verhoeff Van Gieson staining method?

Answer 31

The dye is attracted to the mordant and removed from collagen and muscle fibers.

Question 32

What can cause reduced red staining in Masson Trichrome Stain?

Answer 32

Old or exhausted staining solution.

Question 33

What is the effect of over-differentiation in acetic acid?

Answer 33

Faded blue staining.

Question 34

What should be checked if uneven staining is noted in Masson Trichrome Stain?

Answer 34

Ensure that Bouin's mordant was applied prior to staining.

Question 35

What type of collagen is found in cartilage?

Answer 35

Type 2 collagen.

Question 36

What is the primary color of elastic fibers when stained?

Answer 36

blue/black ## Footnote Elastic fibers have the strongest affinity for Verhoeff’s Hematoxylin

Question 37

What color do nuclei appear after staining?

Answer 37

blue/black

Question 38

What color is collagen stained in the Van Gieson solution?

Answer 38

red

Question 39

What color do cytoplasm, muscle, and red blood cells appear after staining?

Answer 39

yellow

Question 40

Fill in the blank: Picric acid is a _______ dye.

Answer 40

synthetic

Question 41

Fill in the blank: Acid fuchsin is an _______ dye of the quinoid group.

Answer 41

acid

Question 42

What is the role of ferric chloride in the staining process?

Answer 42

oxidizer, mordant and differentiator

Question 43

What happens if the picric acid is not saturated in the Van Gieson stain?

Answer 43

Collagen will not stain red

Question 44

What does Weigert’s iron hematoxylin stain?

Answer 44

Nuclei

Question 45

What color do collagen fibers appear after the Masson Trichrome technique?

Answer 45

blue or green

Question 46

What color do erythrocytes appear after performing the Masson Trichrome technique?

Answer 46

red

Question 47

What is critical about the preparation of the Van Gieson stain?

Answer 47

If not saturated, poor differentiation of collagen, cytoplasm, and muscle occurs