Study for the CAMLPR Histology Practice Test. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question has hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

Multiple Choice

In Masson Trichrome staining, pale nuclei can be caused by not having enough time in nuclear stain. Which statement is true?

In Masson Trichrome, nuclei are colored by the nuclear stain iron hematoxylin. The intensity of that nuclear color depends on how long the tissue stays in contact with the stain. If the time is too short, not enough hematoxylin binds to the nuclei, so they appear pale instead of a strong blue-black. That direct link between under-staining time and pale nuclei makes the statement about not having enough time in the nuclear stain the best explanation. Other situations, like skipping the nuclear stain entirely or issues from overoxidation or extra washing, would produce different staining patterns (such as little to no nuclear color or uneven loss of color) rather than the specific pale nuclei caused by insufficient staining time.

In Masson Trichrome, nuclei are colored by the nuclear stain iron hematoxylin. The intensity of that nuclear color depends on how long the tissue stays in contact with the stain. If the time is too short, not enough hematoxylin binds to the nuclei, so they appear pale instead of a strong blue-black. That direct link between under-staining time and pale nuclei makes the statement about not having enough time in the nuclear stain the best explanation. Other situations, like skipping the nuclear stain entirely or issues from overoxidation or extra washing, would produce different staining patterns (such as little to no nuclear color or uneven loss of color) rather than the specific pale nuclei caused by insufficient staining time.