glossary

haematoxylin

Definition haematoxylin

haematoxylin

haematoxylin n. colourless crystaline compound extrated from logwood (Haematoxylon compechianum) and used in various histological stains. When oxidized haematooxylin is converted to haematein. which imparts a blue colour to certain parts of cells, especially cell nuclei. Heidenhain's iron haematoxylin is used to stain sections that are to be photographyed, since it gives great clarity at high magnification.