Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) are two dyes used in pathology to stain tissue samples. When a tissue sample is taken from the body (through a biopsy or surgery), it is often very difficult to see the details of the cells and structures within it. Hematoxylin and eosin are used to color the tissue, making these details visible under a microscope. This process is called staining.
Hematoxylin and eosin stain tissue in two different colors, which helps pathologists see various components of the cells:
By applying these two dyes to a tissue sample, pathologists can see a clear contrast between different parts of the cells and tissues, which helps them identify normal and abnormal areas.
Pathologists use hematoxylin and eosin to examine tissue samples under a microscope. The different colors provided by the H&E stain help them see the overall structure and organization of the tissue. Pathologists look for signs of disease, such as inflammation, infection, or cancer, by assessing the size, shape, and arrangement of the cells and tissues. The H&E stain is often the first test performed on a tissue sample and provides a general overview that can guide further, more specific testing if needed.
Pathologists may sometimes need more detailed information than what the H&E stain can provide. Other tests may be used in combination with H&E to get a more complete picture:
These additional tests are often guided by the findings from the initial H&E-stained tissue and help pathologists provide a more precise diagnosis.