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Figure 4 Photomicrographs illustrating the histopathologic findings of a portion of a stable, firm plaque, mostly collagen, with a few small areas of lipid deposits (a), and an advanced atherosclerotic lesion in an unstable, soft plaque (b). A thin cap (arrow) of 150 µm is mainly composed of collagen layers. The necrotic core consists of lipids, cholesterol crystals (clefts), fibrin, lymphocytes and macrophages. Hematoxylin-eosin staining; magnification x50. C = calcium; E = erosion; FC = fibrous cap; I = inflammation; L = lipid pool; M = medial layer; N = necrosis; P = platelet clump; T = thrombus.