| Feature | Collagen Fibers | Elastic Fibers | Reticular Fibers |
| Main Protein | Collagen (Type I most common) | Elastin & Fibrillin | Collagen (Type III) |
| Physical Property | Tensile strength (non-stretchable) | Elasticity & recoil | Delicate structural support |
| Pattern / Structure | Thick, longitudinal bundles | Branching networks / Lamellar sheets | Fine, branching meshwork |
| Branching habit | Do not freely branch/rejoin | Freely branch and rejoin | Extensively branch to form networks |
| H&E Staining | Light pink (Eosinophilic) | Poorly stained (faint pink) | Not visible |
| Special Stain | Masson's Trichrome (Blue) | Orcein / VVG (Brown/Black) | Silver Stain (Black / Argyrophilic) |
| Gross Color | White | Yellow | Translucent/Not distinct |
| Classic MCQ Location | Tendons, skin dermis, bone | Ligamentum flavum, Aorta | Spleen, Lymph nodes, Bone marrow |
