Several staining techniques are employed to visualize different tissue components:
Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E): A routine stain that differentiates between acidic and basic tissue elements, providing contrast between nuclei and cytoplasm. Periodic Acid-Schiff (PAS): Stains carbohydrates and mucopolysaccharides, useful for identifying glycogen storage diseases and fungal infections. Masson's Trichrome: Differentiates between collagen and muscle fibers, aiding in the study of connective tissue disorders. Immunohistochemistry (IHC): Uses antibodies to detect specific antigens, enabling the identification of cellular markers and pathogens.