Module 7: Connective Tissue Stains

Question 1

What makes up the Van Gieson stain and what staining theories does the Van Gieson utilize?

Answer 1

Saturated picric acid solution, 1% acid fuchsin

Perosity and rate of penetration

Question 2

What stain is this? At what point in the stain this image is taken at?

Answer 2

Verhoeff after differentiation

Question 3

What is the purpose of using Bouin’s in Masson’s Trichrome?

Answer 3

Mordant, enhances staining

Question 4

What hematoxylin is used in Masson’s trichrome and why?

Answer 4

Weigert’s

Ferric alum required so stain won’t be lost in acid solutions that follow

Question 5

What is the purpose of phosphomolybdic acid used after Ponceau 2R in Masson’s trichrome?

Answer 5

Differentiation

Question 6

What are the final results of Masson’s trichrome?

Answer 6

Nuclei black, muscle red, collagen green/blue

Question 7

What do we use to differentiate Verhoeff’s nuclear and elastic stain?

Answer 7

2% ferric chloride

Question 8

Which hematoxylin would be appropriate when followed by Van Gieson?

Answer 8

Weigert

Question 9

What can be done to decrease the amount of yellow colouration lost when dehydrating after Van Gieson?

Answer 9

Blot dry and then place in xylol, add a few drops of picric acid to alcohols

Question 10

Expected results after Weigert-Van Gieson method:

Answer 10

Nuclei - black

Collagen - bright red

Cytoplasm, RBC, muscle - yellow

Question 11

What would be the expected result if sections are dehydrated slowly after trichrome staining?

Answer 11

Loss of collagen staining

Question 12

What fiber types does aldehyde fuchsin demonstrate?

Answer 12

Coarse and fine elastic fibers

Question 13

What tissues would make good controls for aldehyde fuchsin?

Answer 13

Tissue containing elastic fibers; skin, cross section of large artery or aorta

Question 14

Expected results for aldehyde fuchsin?

Answer 14

Coarse and fine elastic fiber - deep purple violet

Other tissue elements (if counterstained with light green) - green

Question 15

List the ingredients to prepare Verhoeff’s nuclear and elastic stain

Answer 15

5% alcoholic hematoxylin, 10% FeCl3, Lugol’s iodine

Question 16

What fiber types does Verfoeff’s stain demonstrate?

Answer 16

Coarse elastic fibers

Question 17

What is 2% ferric chloride used for in Verhoeff’s stain?

Answer 17

Differentating elastic fiber

Question 18

What counterstain is used in Verhoeff’s elastic stain?

Answer 18

Van Gieson’s

Question 19

Expected results for Verhoeff’s stain:

Answer 19

Coarse elastic fibers, nuclei - black

Cytoplasm, muscle, RBC - yellow

Collagen - red

Question 20

List 3 stains that can be used to demonstrate fibrin

Answer 20

H+E, Van Gieson’s, Masson’s Trichrome

Question 21

Expected results for the MSB method:

Answer 21

Nuclei - dark blue

Collagen and old fibrin - blue

Muscle and mature fibrin - red

RBC and young fibrin - yellow