Stains are crucial in histopathology because they add contrast to the tissues, highlighting different cellular components and making it easier to identify abnormalities. The most commonly used stain is Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E). Hematoxylin stains the cell nuclei blue, while eosin stains the cytoplasm and extracellular matrix pink. Other specialized stains like Masson's trichrome, Periodic acid-Schiff (PAS), and immunohistochemical stains are used to detect specific proteins, glycogen, and other substances within the tissue.
