Human Structure Virtual Histology
    Slide Preparation and Staining
     
     

    This is by far the most routine stain used in hospital pathology labs and is also the stain that is used for most of the histopathology specimens you will see in the UDOS courses.

    The charge of the tissue constituents, proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, etc, determine which stain will preferentially bind.

    • Basic stain (e.g. hematoxylin) contains positive charges (cationic) and binds to negatively charged (basophilic) substances, such as nucleic acids.
    • Acid stain (e.g. eosin) contains negative charges (anionic) and binds to positively charged (acidophilic) substances, such as proteins.

     

     

    Other commonly used stains bind preferentially to specific cellular or tissue constituents.

     


     Lab Table of Contents | Glossary