Demonstrates large and small elastic fibers easily.

• A. Toluidine Blue
• B. Gomori Aldehyde Fuchsin technique
• C. Masson's Trichrome
• D. Giemsa

Answer: (B)

Elastic fibers are best visualized with stains that bind specifically to elastin and give a strong, contrasted color. The Gomori aldehyde fuchsin technique stains elastic fibers dark purple to black, providing clear visibility of both large bundles and finer, delicate fibers. This high contrast makes it easy to assess the elastic network in tissues such as arteries, skin dermis, and lungs.

Toluidine Blue is great for metachromasia and highlighting certain mucopolysaccharides and mast cells, but it’s not optimized for elastic fibers. Masson's Trichrome highlights collagen (blue/green) and muscle (red), not elastic fibers. Giemsa is used for cells and microorganisms, not for detailing elastic fiber networks.