What does negative staining primarily help to achieve in histopathological techniques?

Negative staining is a technique commonly used in histopathology to outline shapes and structures of cells or tissues without actually staining the cells themselves. In this method, certain dyes are chosen that do not penetrate the cells or structures of interest. Instead, the dye colors the background, which allows for a clear contrast between the stained background and the uncolored cellular components. This creates an effective means of visualizing the outlines and defining features of the cells, thereby making their morphology more pronounced.

This method is particularly useful for identifying the presence and arrangement of structures that might be more difficult to see with direct staining methods, which often color the entire specimen uniformly. Negative staining can be especially valuable in various microscopic examinations, where fine details can provide critical diagnostic information.