Cat tongue, cross section

Differential interference contrast (DIC) micrograph of a cross section of a cat tongue. This sample is from a vintage prepared slide from the period 1870 - 1905. Blood vessels were injected with dye (carmine; red) before fixing and sectioning the tissue in order to visualise the capillaries in the tissue. This was a newly developed technique at that time. Capillaries supplying the papillae (raised protrusions or bumps on the tongue) of the tongue and the structure of the underlying muscle can be seen.