The process of H&E staining involves several steps:
Fixation: The tissue is fixed, usually in formalin, to preserve its structure and prevent degradation. Embedding: The fixed tissue is embedded in paraffin wax to provide support for thin sectioning. Sectioning: Thin sections (3-5 micrometers) are cut from the paraffin block using a microtome. Deparaffinization: The paraffin is removed using xylene or other solvents. Rehydration: The tissue sections are rehydrated through a series of decreasing alcohol concentrations. Staining: The sections are first stained with hematoxylin, followed by a rinse, and then stained with eosin. Dehydration and Mounting: The stained sections are dehydrated, cleared in xylene, and mounted with a coverslip for microscopic examination.