**Question:** Stain used for melanin -

A. H&E
B. Fontana-Masson
C. Van Gieson
D. Gomori's methenamine silver

**Core Concept:**
Melanin is a pigment responsible for the coloration of skin, hair, eyes, and other tissues in humans. It is synthesized by melanocytes, a specific type of cell present in the dermis. Staining techniques are used to visualize melanin in histopathological samples.

**Why the Correct Answer is Right:**
Bromophenol blue (B) and ferric ammonium citrate (FAC) are components of Fontana-Masson stain, which is specifically designed to stain melanin within melanosomes of melanocytes. The reaction is a modified version of the Gomori's method, and the presence of the stain in the dermal papillae indicates melanin within melanocytes.

**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect:**

A. H&E (Hemotoxylin and Eosin) is a general staining technique that stains nuclei blue and cytoplasm pink. It does not stain melanin.

C. Van Gieson stain primarily stains collagen fibers and is not designed to stain melanin.

D. Gomori's methenamine silver stain (D) is used to stain connective tissue components like collagen and elastic fibers, not melanin.

**Clinical Pearl:**
Staining techniques are essential for identifying and characterizing various tissues and cellular components in histopathology. Understanding the principles behind staining methods aids in interpreting histopathological slides accurately. Fontana-Masson stain is particularly useful for identifying melanin in skin lesions, which is crucial in diagnosing pigmented lesions and melanoma.