经过粘蛋白染色的主动脉壁可见囊状中层坏死，这不仅是马凡综合征的表现，度且从动脉切面可见结缔组织薄弱，导致主动脉剥离。正常的平行排列的粉红色弹性纤维被染成蓝色的粘液样物质破坏。
This mucin stain of the wall of the aorta demonstrates cystic medial necrosis, typical for Marfan's syndrome and causes the connective tissue weakness that explains the aortic dissection. Pink elastic fibers, instead of running in parallel arrays, are disrupted by pools of blue mucinous ground substance.