Which tissue is used as the control slide for Gomori's Aldehyde Fuchsin?

• A. Aorta or skin
• B. Grey matter
• C. Spleen or liver
• D. Infected tissue

Answer: (A)

Gomori's aldehyde fuchsin highlights elastic fibers in tissue sections, so the control should be a tissue rich in elastic fibers to confirm the stain is working properly. The aorta provides abundant elastic lamellae in its media, making it a reliable positive control, and skin’s dermis also contains a dense elastic fiber network suitable for control purposes. In contrast, grey matter has few elastic fibers, while spleen or liver lack the organized elastic network; infected tissue can vary and isn’t a stable standard. Using aorta or skin ensures the staining of elastic fibers is visible and consistent.