A white area observed within the epineurium on an H&E stain is due to the loss of staining of which structure?

A white area observed within the epineurium on an H&E stain is due to the loss of staining of which structure?

• A. Nuclei
• B. Myelin
• C. Axon
• D. Epineurial collagen

Answer: (B)

H&E staining highlights different tissue components by color, but lipids don’t stain well because they’re removed during routine processing. Myelin is lipid-rich, wrapped around axons in nerves, so the lipid is dissolved and leaves a clear, white space where myelin should be. That’s why a white area within the epineurium on an H&E slide indicates loss of staining of myelin. In contrast, nuclei would appear blue-purple, collagen would stain pink with eosin, and axons contain cytoplasm that would take up stain rather than disappear.

H&E staining highlights different tissue components by color, but lipids don’t stain well because they’re removed during routine processing. Myelin is lipid-rich, wrapped around axons in nerves, so the lipid is dissolved and leaves a clear, white space where myelin should be. That’s why a white area within the epineurium on an H&E slide indicates loss of staining of myelin. In contrast, nuclei would appear blue-purple, collagen would stain pink with eosin, and axons contain cytoplasm that would take up stain rather than disappear.