Arterial wall, elastin stain

In this specimen, elastic tissue is colored deep purple, collagen is pale pink and cytoplasm (in smooth muscle and nerve) is purple. 

Note the distribution of elastin in the wall of this artery.

• A continuous sheet of elastin comprises the internal elastic lamina (white highlight in image at right).
• Scattered elastic fibers characterize the adventitia.

The intima consists of little more than endothelium, barely visible between the internal elastic lamina and the lumen.

 

Comments and questions: dgking@siu.edu

SIUC / School of Medicine / Anatomy / David King

http://www.siumed.edu/~dking2/crr/CR023b.htm
Last updated:  5 September 2003 / dgk