Slide 19 - Epiglottis, specifically stained for elastic fibers with orcein. At high magnification you will see elastic fibers  (brown) coursing throughout the loose connective tissue and into the matrix of scattered cartilage.  Like hyaline cartilage, elastic cartilage has a basophilic matrix and large chondrocytes; the chief difference lies in the emphasis on the content of elastic fibers.  Look for an area where the matrix is stained light enough to reveal the branching of elastic fibers within.

(Can you recognize the fat cells in the center of this section?  What type of epithelium lies on the outer surface?)