Which stain demonstrates elastic fibers in this method?

• A. Iron hematoxylin
• B. Masson's trichrome
• C. Verhoeff's stain
• D. Alcian blue

Answer: (A)

Elastic fibers are highlighted by stains that specifically target elastin; in these procedures the iron-containing hematoxylin component is what binds to elastin and colors it dark, usually black, so it stands out against surrounding tissue after any counterstain. That makes iron hematoxylin the stain that reveals elastic fibers in this method. Masson's trichrome colors collagen blue and muscle red and does not selectively mark elastin; Alcian blue stains acidic mucopolysaccharides rather than elastin, and while Verhoeff's stain is an elastic-fiber stain, the visual marker for elastin in this approach comes from the iron hematoxylin step.