The Gomori method reveals which pair of cells inside the pancreatic islet?

• A. Alpha and beta cells
• B. Delta and gamma cells
• C. Acinar and duct cells
• D. Endothelial and stellate cells

Answer: (A)

Gomori staining is used to differentiate the two main hormone-secreting cell types within the pancreatic islets by coloring their granules differently. Beta cells, which produce insulin, and alpha cells, which produce glucagon, can be visualized as distinct populations in the islet because the stain highlights their granules in contrasting hues. This makes the alpha-beta pairing the most readily identifiable pair inside the islet with this method. The other cell types, such as delta (somatostatin) and gamma (pancreatic polypeptide) cells, are less distinctly highlighted by this stain, and the acinar and duct cells belong to the exocrine component outside the islets and are not the target of this technique.