Artery, trichrome stain

In this trichrome stained specimen, collagen is colored blue and smooth muscle is red.  Red blood cells (RBCs) in the arterial lumen are brighter red.  The red texture in the upper-left corner of the image is cross-sectioned smooth muscle in wall of the (unidentified) organ from which this specimen was taken. 

• The intima is inconspicuous, consisting of little more than very thin endothelial cells.
• The internal elastic lamina is unstained but distinctly visible as a sinuous band between the intima and the media.
• The media is the thickest, most conspicuous layer, in which individual smooth muscle fibers are clearly visible. 
• The adventitia is not a distinct layer but merges with surrounding connective tissue.

Comments and questions: dgking@siu.edu

SIUC / School of Medicine / Anatomy / David King

http://www.siumed.edu/~dking2/crr/CR038b.htm
Last updated:  4 September 2003 / dgk