Staining is critical in histology to differentiate between various cellular components. Common techniques include:
Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E): The most widely used stain in histology, highlighting nuclei in blue and cytoplasm in pink. Periodic Acid-Schiff (PAS): Stains carbohydrates and polysaccharides in tissues, useful for identifying fungal infections and glycogen storage diseases. Immunohistochemistry (IHC): Uses antibodies to detect specific antigens in tissues, aiding in the diagnosis of cancers and identifying infectious agents.