Connective Tissue Staining Flashcards
What is the main purpose of elastic staining techniques?
To demonstrate pathological changes in elastic fibers.
What is the primary reagent used in the Gomori Aldehyde Fuchsin stain?
Aldehyde fuchsin.
What color do elastic fibers stain with Gomori Aldehyde Fuchsin?
Royal purple.
What is the preferred fixative for tissue in Gomori Aldehyde Fuchsin staining?
10% neutral buffered formalin.
How does PAS staining contribute to the examination of basement membranes?
It demonstrates the carbohydrate component of the basement membrane.
What is the purpose of Toluidine Blue stain?
For the demonstration of metachromatic tissue elements, including mast cells.
What principle does Toluidine Blue staining rely on?
Metachromasia Theory.
What color do mast cell granules stain with Toluidine Blue?
Red/purple (violet).
What is the purpose of reticulin staining?
For the demonstration of reticulin fibers.
What is the principle behind Gordon & Sweet’s Silver Impregnation?
Metallic silver is deposited on aldehyde groups of reticulin fibers.
What is the first step in the silver impregnation process for reticulin fibers?
Oxidation.
What color do reticulin fibers stain with Gordon & Sweet’s Silver Impregnation?
Black.
What is the recommended section thickness for paraffin wax sections in staining procedures?
4-5 µm.
What is the role of potassium permanganate in the silver impregnation process?
To oxidize or expose aldehyde groups on reticulin fibers.
What is the effect of metachromasia on tissue elements during staining?
They stain a different color from the dye solution.
True or False: Alcohol can be used for dehydration in most metachromatic staining procedures.
False.
Fill in the blank: Reticular fibers are most abundant in the _______.
liver, spleen, and kidney.
What are some types of cells found in connective tissue?
- Mast cells
- Fibroblasts
- Histocytes
- Adipose cells
- Reticular cells
- Osteoblasts
- Osteocytes
- Chondroblasts
- Chondrocytes
- Blood cells
What is the function of connective tissue?
To provide structural and metabolic support for other tissues and organs.
What do adipose cells do?
Synthesize and store lipid.
What type of collagen is found in tendons, bone, and adult skin?
Type 1 collagen.
What is the composition of ground substances in connective tissue?
Transparent material mainly composed of mucopolysaccharides.
What is the primary function of the basement membrane?
To provide support for epithelium.
What are the three main types of connective tissue fibers?
- Collagen
- Elastic fibers
- Reticular fibers
What staining method is used to demonstrate collagen fibers?
Masson Trichrome Stain.
What is the purpose of the Masson Trichrome Stain?
For the demonstration of collagen fibers.
What is the principle behind Masson Trichrome Stain?
Physical (porosity) and Chemical (salt linkage) Theories.
What is the result of the Masson Trichrome Stain?
- Nuclei: blue/black
- Muscle, Cytoplasm, RBCs: red
- Collagen: green or blue
What is Verhoeff Van Gieson stain used for?
For the demonstration of elastic fibers.
What is the principle of Verhoeff Van Gieson stain?
Chemical theory involving hydrogen bonding.
What are the components of the staining solution for Verhoeff’s Iron Hematoxylin?
- 5% alcoholic hematoxylin
- 10% ferric chloride
- Verhoeff’s iodine
What happens during the differentiation step in the Verhoeff Van Gieson staining method?
The dye is attracted to the mordant and removed from collagen and muscle fibers.
What can cause reduced red staining in Masson Trichrome Stain?
Old or exhausted staining solution.
What is the effect of over-differentiation in acetic acid?
Faded blue staining.
What should be checked if uneven staining is noted in Masson Trichrome Stain?
Ensure that Bouin’s mordant was applied prior to staining.
What type of collagen is found in cartilage?
Type 2 collagen.
What is the primary color of elastic fibers when stained?
blue/black
Elastic fibers have the strongest affinity for Verhoeff’s Hematoxylin
What color do nuclei appear after staining?
blue/black
What color is collagen stained in the Van Gieson solution?
red
What color do cytoplasm, muscle, and red blood cells appear after staining?
yellow
Fill in the blank: Picric acid is a _______ dye.
synthetic
Fill in the blank: Acid fuchsin is an _______ dye of the quinoid group.
acid
What is the role of ferric chloride in the staining process?
oxidizer, mordant and differentiator
What happens if the picric acid is not saturated in the Van Gieson stain?
Collagen will not stain red
What does Weigert’s iron hematoxylin stain?
Nuclei
What color do collagen fibers appear after the Masson Trichrome technique?
blue or green
What color do erythrocytes appear after performing the Masson Trichrome technique?
red
What is critical about the preparation of the Van Gieson stain?
If not saturated, poor differentiation of collagen, cytoplasm, and muscle occurs
