This high magnification view of a section from the brain shows numerous, dark
stained fibrous astrocytes. These astrocytes are found only in the
white matter. Note that astrocytes have long processes
that attach to and cover the outer surfaces of a blood vessels. These specialized
attachments to blood vessels are called foot plates,
which form part of the blood-brain barrier. Note that there are no neuronal
cell bodies in the white matter.
Stain = del Rio-Hortega silver stain for astrocytes
