Cresyl echt violet is used to stain for neuronal cell bodies and processes. Nissl substance has a high ribonucleic acid (RNA) content, making it very basophilic. Cresyl echt violet is a basic aniline dye used to selectively stain Nissl by immersing tissue sections in the staining solution and then differentiating in alcohol until the background is colorless. Sections will appear unstained to the naked eye.
