Differentiation Between Connective Tissue and Mucosal Mast Cells in Tissue Sections

Abstract

Connective tissue and mucosal mast cells differ in morphology, chemistry, and location and require different histologic techniques for demonstration. Connective tissue mast cells are readily preserved by most common laboratory fixatives and stained with toluidine blue. Mucosal mast cells can not be demonstrated after the above treatment but are visible after Carnoy fixation and astra blue staining.