Large vein
A feature of large veins, like the vena cava shown here, is a significant amount of smooth muscle in the tunica adventitia. Smooth muscle fibers in the adventitia are oriented longitudinally, thus they usually are seen in cross section. Smooth muscle fibers in the media are arranged circularly and, thus, are cut in longitudinal section. This stain for elastin clearly shows the internal elastic lamina and elastic fibers throughout the adventitia. 100x
Tunica intima
A feature of large veins, like the vena cava shown here, is a significant amount of smooth muscle in the tunica adventitia. Smooth muscle fibers in the adventitia are oriented longitudinally, thus they usually are seen in cross section. Smooth muscle fibers in the media are arranged circularly and, thus, are cut in longitudinal section. This stain for elastin clearly shows the internal elastic lamina and elastic fibers throughout the adventitia. 100x
- Internal elastic lamina
A feature of large veins, like the vena cava shown here, is a significant amount of smooth muscle in the tunica adventitia. Smooth muscle fibers in the adventitia are oriented longitudinally, thus they usually are seen in cross section. Smooth muscle fibers in the media are arranged circularly and, thus, are cut in longitudinal section. This stain for elastin clearly shows the internal elastic lamina and elastic fibers throughout the adventitia. 100x
Tunica media
A feature of large veins, like the vena cava shown here, is a significant amount of smooth muscle in the tunica adventitia. Smooth muscle fibers in the adventitia are oriented longitudinally, thus they usually are seen in cross section. Smooth muscle fibers in the media are arranged circularly and, thus, are cut in longitudinal section. This stain for elastin clearly shows the internal elastic lamina and elastic fibers throughout the adventitia. 100x
Tunica adventitia
A feature of large veins, like the vena cava shown here, is a significant amount of smooth muscle in the tunica adventitia. Smooth muscle fibers in the adventitia are oriented longitudinally, thus they usually are seen in cross section. Smooth muscle fibers in the media are arranged circularly and, thus, are cut in longitudinal section. This stain for elastin clearly shows the internal elastic lamina and elastic fibers throughout the adventitia. 100x
- Elastic fibers
A feature of large veins, like the vena cava shown here, is a significant amount of smooth muscle in the tunica adventitia. Smooth muscle fibers in the adventitia are oriented longitudinally, thus they usually are seen in cross section. Smooth muscle fibers in the media are arranged circularly and, thus, are cut in longitudinal section. This stain for elastin clearly shows the internal elastic lamina and elastic fibers throughout the adventitia. 100x
Collagen
A feature of large veins, like the vena cava shown here, is a significant amount of smooth muscle in the tunica adventitia. Smooth muscle fibers in the adventitia are oriented longitudinally, thus they are seen in cross section. Smooth muscle fibers in the media are arranged circularly and thus are seen in longitudinal section. This stain for elastin clearly shows the internal elastic lamina and elastic fibers throughout the adventitia. 100x
Area shown in next image
A feature of large veins, like the vena cava shown here, is a significant amount of smooth muscle in the tunica adventitia. Smooth muscle fibers in the adventitia are oriented longitudinally, thus they usually are seen in cross section. Smooth muscle fibers in the media are arranged circularly and, thus, are cut in longitudinal section. This stain for elastin clearly shows the internal elastic lamina and elastic fibers throughout the adventitia. 100x
Image source >
Image taken from a slide in the University of Mississippi collection.
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