National Cancer Institute (source definition)
Hematoxylin and Eosin Staining Method
Hematoxylin-and-eosin, or H&E, is a routine staining procedure of tissue sections. This staining method uses two separate dyes, one staining the nucleus and the other staining the cytoplasm and connective tissue. Hematoxylin is a dark purplish dye that stains the chromatin (nuclear material) within the nucleus. Eosin is an orangish-pink to red dye that stains the cytoplasmic material including connective tissue and collagen.
Review and references
Automated source check (NCI definition)
2026-10-19
2026-10-19
professional use
What it is
Hematoxylin-and-eosin, or H&E, is a routine staining procedure of tissue sections. This staining method uses two separate dyes, one staining the nucleus and the other staining the cytoplasm and connective tissue. Hematoxylin is a dark purplish dye that stains the chromatin (nuclear material) within the nucleus. Eosin is an orangish-pink to red dye that stains the cytoplasmic material including connective tissue and collagen.
Source: National Cancer Institute, NCI Thesaurus 26.09d, C23011. NCI definition, reproduced without modification under CC BY 4.0.
Source identity and definition checked automatically on 2026-10-18. No individual clinical interpretation or human reviewer is asserted.
Compliance note
Reference intervals and interpretation depend on the laboratory, specimen, method and clinical context. This source definition is educational information; it does not establish a diagnosis, product approval or suitability for an individual.