T. Clark Brelje, Ph.D.
University of Minnesota
Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development
6-160 Jackson Hall
321 Church St SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455
Robert L. Sorenson, Ph.D.
University of Minnesota
Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development
6-160 Jackson Hall
321 Church St SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455
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MH 065-066 Aorta and Vena Cava
Elastic Artery & Large Vein (H&E)
Click the thumbnail to show this specimen stained with hematoxylin & eosin.
Compare the features of the artery with its companion vein.
Aorta - an elastic artery. The tunica media is the thickest layer and contains prominent elastic tissue.
Tunica Intima - inner layer composed of the endothelium, subendothelial connective tissue and a thin layer of elastic fibrils (the internal elastic membrane).
Tunica Media - middle layer composed of alternating layers of circumferentially arranged smooth muscle and wavy sheets of elastic fibers.
Tunica Adventitia - outer layer of dense irregular connective tissue.
Vasa Vasorum - blood vessels that supply the tunica adventitia and tunica media.
Nerves - regulate the contraction of the smooth muscle.
Vena Cava - a large vein. The wall is thinner and has less distinct layers than the aorta.
Tunica Intima - inner layer composed of endothelium and a thin layer of connective tissue.
Tunica Media - middle layer consists of only a few (3 to 8) layers of smooth muscle.
Click the thumbnail to show this specimen stained with Verhoeff stain.
These are the same specimens except they were stained with Verhoeff. Although unstained with H&E, elastic tissue stains black with Verhoeff.
Compare the features of the artery with its companion vein.
Aorta - an elastic artery. Prominent elastic tissue occurs in a thick tunica media.
Tunica Intima - inner layer with scattered elastic fibrils (black) in the subendothelial connective tissue.
Tunica Media - middle layer composed of alternating layers of circumferentially arranged smooth muscle (unstained) and wavy sheets of elastic fibers (black).
Tunica Adventitia - outer layer with none or scattered elastic fibrils (black).
Vena Cava - a large vein. Very little elastic tissue occurs in the wall of veins.
