Field shows atheromatous plaque in intima with no other layers of the arterial wall visible.
The lighter stain elsewhere is due to deposition of neutral fats which are washed out by the tissue processing for slide preparation. The fine blue stipples throughout are calcific spherules. Although the role of risk factors contributing to the pathogenesis is clear, the problem is that there are a few privileged individuals and experimental animals that are resistant when challenged by risk factors. A disease of Western civilization. Absent in certain third world ethnic groups.