[2] The formulation is used to demonstrate normal or pathologic elastic fibers.
Verhoeff's stain forms a variety of cationic, anionic and non-ionic bonds with elastin, the main constituent of elastic fiber tissue.
[2] Elastin has a strong affinity for the iron-hematoxylin complex formed by the reagents in the stain and will hence retain dye longer than other tissue elements.
Sodium thiosulfate is used to remove excess iodine and a counterstain (most often Van Gieson's stain) is used to contrast the principal stain.
[citation needed] This combination is useful for the examination of blood vessels; the Verhoeff stain highlights elastin (black) and allows one to easily differentiate small arteries (which typically have two elastic laminae) and veins (which have one elastic lamina).