Histology Common laboratory stains Common laboratory stains

| Stain | Common_use | Nucleus | Cytoplasm | Red_blood_cell_RBC | Collagen_fibers | Specifically_stains |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Haematoxylin | General staining when paired with eosin (i.e. H&E) | Orange, Cyan Blue or Green | Blue/Brown/Black | N/A | N/A | Nucleic acids—blue ER (endoplasmic reticulum)—blue |
| Toluidine blue | General staining | Blue | Blue | Blue | Blue | Mast cells granules—purple |
| Masson`s trichrome stain | Connective tissue | Black | Red/pink | Red | Blue/green | Cartilage—blue/green Muscle fibers—red |
| Weigert`s elastic stain | Elastic fibers | Blue/black | N/A | N/A | N/A | Elastic fibers—blue/black |
| Heidenhain`s AZAN trichrome stain | Distinguishing cells from extracellular components | Red/purple | Pink | Red | Blue | Muscle fibers—red Cartilage—blue Bone matrix—blue |