The A to Z of Anatomical Histological and Medical terms
Calcium (Ca) Stains
Ca bound to an anion, such as phosphate (PO
4
) or CO
3
(carbonate) can
be demonstrated with the Von Kossa stain. Ca forms a blue-black lake
with haematoxylin to give a blue colour on H&E stain, usually with
sharp edges. This stain is most useful when large amounts are
present, as in bone.
Alizarin red S forms an orange-red lake with Ca. It works best with
small amounts of Ca (such as in Michaelis-Gutman bodies). The
Alizarin method is also used in analyzers to measure serum calcium
photometrically.
Azan stain can be used to differentiate osteoid from mineralized bone.
Connective tissue stains (collagen, elastin, reticulin fibres
and fibrin)
The trichrome stain helps to highlight the supporting collagenous
stroma in sections from a variety of organs. This helps to determine
the pattern of tissue injury. Trichrome will also aid in identifying normal
structures, such as connective tissue capsules of organs, the
lamina propria of gastrointestinal tract, and the broncho-vascular
structures in lung. Sirius red stain is also used for collagen staining.
The reticulin stain is useful in parenchymal organs such as liver and
spleen to outline the architecture. Delicate reticular fibres, which are
argyrophilic, can be seen. A reticulin stain occasionally helps to
highlight the growth pattern of neoplasms, by showing the dispersal of
the normal fibrous architecture.
An elastic tissue stain such as the Verhoff’s van Giesen stain or
Orcein-Giemsa stain help to outline arteries, because the elastic
lamina of muscular arteries, and the media of the aorta, contain
elastic fibres, and if used with the Masson stain for collagen and
muscle fibres provides a good contrast.
Martius’s scarlet blue stain distinguishes fibrin from true connective
tissues and should be used where there is extensive inflammation.
Exogenous pigments and minerals (asbestos, carbon, silica)
Asbestos is a special type of long-thin silica crystal, usually of the
mineral group chrysotile. In tissue, these crystals are highly irritative
and highly fibrogenic. The fibres become coated with a protein-iron-
calcium matrix, giving them a shish-kebab appearance. These are
called “ferruginous bodies” because they are highlighted with an iron
© A. L. Neill 12
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