Verhoeff's Van Gieson staining is used to demonstrate which tissue component?

• A. Elastic fibers
• B. Collagen fibers
• C. Glycogen
• D. Mast cells

Answer: (A)

This staining combination is used to visualize elastic fibers in connective tissue. Verhoeff’s component binds strongly to elastin and makes elastic fibers appear black or dark purple, while the Van Gieson counterstain colors collagen pink and other tissue elements yellow. The contrasting colors let you clearly see elastic tissue against the surrounding collagen matrix, which is especially useful in assessing elastic fibers in arteries, lungs, and skin. Glycogen would be highlighted by a PAS stain, mast cells by a metachromatic stain like toluidine blue, and collagen would not stand out as black with this method—collagen appears red with the Van Gieson portion.