A stain that might be used to demonstrate cirrhosis of the liver is the?

• A. Masson Trichrome
• B. Hematoxylin and Eosin
• C. PAS
• D. Giemsa

Answer: (A)

The main concept is using a stain that makes fibrous tissue visible to assess cirrhosis. Cirrhosis involves replacement of normal liver parenchyma with fibrous bands and nodules, so you want a stain that highlights collagen specifically. Masson Trichrome does exactly that: it stains collagen fibers blue (or green, depending on the protocol) while muscle and cytoplasm stain red and nuclei stay dark. This contrast makes the fibrous septa and the extent of fibrosis easy to see, allowing clear visualization of cirrhotic architecture and assessment of its severity. Other stains have different targets—Hematoxylin and Eosin shows overall tissue structure but isn’t as good at distinguishing collagen; PAS highlights carbohydrates like glycogen; Giemsa is more for cellular detail in blood smears and some parasites—so they don’t emphasize fibrosis as effectively.