Verhoeff Van Gieson - 1749

The Verhoeff-Van Gieson, or Verhoeff, staining is used to visualize elastic tissue in blood vessels, elastic cartilage, lungs, skin, bladder and in certain ligaments.

The Verhoeff-Van Gieson stain uses a solution of hematoxylin, ferric chloride and iodine. The ferric chloride and the iodine acta s mordants, promoting the oxidation of hematoxylin responsible for staining the elastic elements. Elastin has a strong affinity for the hematoxylin-iron complex, retaining the stain even after decolorization. Excess of ferric chloride is used to differentiate the tissue, while sodium thiosulfate is used to remove the excess of iodine. The counterstaining is provided by Van Gieson Picrofucsin.