What Are the Steps in Performing Masson's Trichrome Staining?
The process involves several key steps:
Fixation of the tissue sample, typically in formalin. Embedding the tissue in paraffin wax. Sectioning the tissue to obtain thin slices (usually 4-5 micrometers thick). Deparaffinization and rehydration through a series of xylene and alcohol washes. Staining with Weigert's iron hematoxylin to color the nuclei. Staining with Biebrich scarlet-acid fuchsin to color the cytoplasm and muscle fibers. Differentiation with phosphomolybdic-phosphotungstic acid to remove excess stain from collagen. Counterstaining with aniline blue or light green to visualize collagen. Dehydrating, clearing, and mounting the stained tissue sections for microscopic examination.
