
Elastic laminae
Sometimes the major component of elastic fibers, elastin, forms sheets, termed elastic laminae, rather than fibers. Elastic laminae are fenestrated, i.e., they have holes in them, like slices of Swiss cheese. Between the laminae are smooth muscle cells that produce the laminae. Cross sections of elastic arteries: left image, hematoxylin and eosin; right image, elastin stain. 800x, 800x

Elastic laminae
Sometimes the major component of elastic fibers, elastin, forms sheets, termed elastic laminae, rather than fibers. Elastic laminae are fenestrated, i.e., they have holes in them, like slices of Swiss cheese. Between the laminae are smooth muscle cells that produce the laminae. Cross sections of elastic arteries: left image, hematoxylin and eosin; right image, elastin stain. 800x, 800x

Fenestrations
Sometimes the major component of elastic fibers, elastin, forms sheets, termed elastic laminae, rather than fibers. Elastic laminae are fenestrated, i.e., they have holes in them, like slices of Swiss cheese. Between the laminae are smooth muscle cells that produce the laminae. Cross sections of elastic arteries: left image, hematoxylin and eosin; right image, elastin stain. 800x, 800x

Smooth muscle cells
Sometimes the major component of elastic fibers, elastin, forms sheets, termed elastic laminae, rather than fibers. Elastic laminae are fenestrated, i.e., they have holes in them, like slices of Swiss cheese. Between the laminae are smooth muscle cells that produce the laminae. Cross sections of elastic arteries: left image, hematoxylin and eosin; right image, elastin stain. 800x, 800x