Weigert's elastic stain
Encyclopedia
Weigert's elastic stain is a combination of stains used in histology
which is useful in identifying elastic fibers. Often orcein
or a combination of resorcinol
and fuchsine
are used for staining. For counterstaining cell nuclei nuclear fast red or hematoxylin is also used. After applying elastic fibers show up blue coloured while cell nuclei gets red or blue.
Histology
Histology is the study of the microscopic anatomy of cells and tissues of plants and animals. It is performed by examining cells and tissues commonly by sectioning and staining; followed by examination under a light microscope or electron microscope...
which is useful in identifying elastic fibers. Often orcein
Orcein
Orcein, also archil, orchil, lacmus, Citrus Red 2, and C.I. Natural Red 28, are names for dyes extracted from several species of lichen, commonly known as "orchella weeds", found in various parts of the world. A major source is the archil lichen, Roccella tinctoria. Orcinol is extracted from such...
or a combination of resorcinol
Resorcinol
Resorcinol is a dihydroxy benzene. It is the 1,3-isomer of benzenediol with the formula C6H42.-Nomenclature:Benzene-1,3-diol is the name recommended by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry in its 1993 Recommendations for the Nomenclature of Organic Chemistry.-Production:It is...
and fuchsine
Fuchsine
Fuchsine or rosaniline hydrochloride is a magenta dye with chemical formula C20H19N3·HCl. There are other similar chemical formulations of products sold as fuchsine, and several dozen other synonyms of this molecule....
are used for staining. For counterstaining cell nuclei nuclear fast red or hematoxylin is also used. After applying elastic fibers show up blue coloured while cell nuclei gets red or blue.