After slicing, tissue sections are mounted on glass slides and stained to enhance contrast and highlight specific cellular components. Common stains include:
- Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E): A routine stain that provides a general view of tissue structure. - Special Stains: Such as Masson's Trichrome, which highlights connective tissues. - Immunohistochemistry: Uses antibodies to detect specific proteins within the tissue.