Hematoxylin and Eosin Staining Quiz

Study Notes

H&E Staining Procedure

The step that removes paraffin wax is known as deparaffinization, which typically involves using a solvent like xylene.
Hematoxylin stains cell nuclei, providing insights into cellular structure and allowing the visualization of nuclear detail and chromatin.
Rehydration is usually achieved using a series of graded alcohols, transitioning to a final aqueous solution during the H&E staining process.
Differentiation is a crucial step to selectively remove excess stain from tissue sections, thus providing better contrast and clarity in the histological features observed.
Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) is the most widely utilized staining method in histology laboratories due to its effectiveness and the contrast it provides between different tissue components.

Embedding Medium Types

Paraffin is a common embedding medium that is insoluble in water, which allows for tissue preservation during sectioning.
The purpose of embedding in a medium is to support the tissue during cutting into thin sections, crucial for analysis under a microscope.
On the other hand, water-soluble embedding mediums include optimal cutting temperature (OCT) compounds, which facilitate quick freezing and sectioning.
Paraffin is the most popular medium for embedding tissues intended for light microscopy, due to its ability to provide good resolution and detail in the prepared slides.

Description

Test your knowledge of the Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) staining procedure in histology. Learn about the steps involved in this commonly used staining method and its importance in visualizing tissue structure and identifying abnormalities.