Which staining method is used to visualize epithelial mucins?

• A. Mucicarmine
• B. Verhoeff's Van Gieson
• C. Van Kossa
• D. Grocott's Silver

Answer: (A)

Staining for mucins is best demonstrated with mucicarmine. This stain specifically binds to the acidic mucopolysaccharides in mucins, so epithelial mucous cells and mucus appear pink to red while the nuclei are counterstained blue. This selective affinity makes mucicarmine ideal for visualizing goblet cells and mucin-producing epithelia, and it’s useful in identifying mucinous components in tissue sections.

The other stains serve different targets: Verhoeff’s Van Gieson highlights elastic fibers and collagen, not mucins; Van Kossa detects calcium salts; and Grocott’s silver stains fungal cell walls.