Bassett Collection of Stereoscopic Images of Human Anatomy

In this series of views of the brain, the brain stem has been cut transversely at successively higher levels and the cut surfaces stained with a dilute alcoholic solution of nile blue sulphate. By this means the myelin sheaths of nerve fibers become stained blue in contrast to gray matter which remains pale. (Note: connective tissue and blood vessels take on a dark color also.) In a general way the staining characteristics of the cut surface resemble those seen in sections stained by the Weigert method for microscopic study. Although detail here is diminished by the opacity of the tissue, the major features of the cut surface at each level are readily distinguished and these characteristics can be related to the gross features of the brain.