Birefringence of skin CBs observed after rotating the stage of the polarizing microscope.

<p>Although birefringence as a phenomenon is evident in CBs in any given position of the field of observation while rotating the microscope stage from A to I, changes in the birefringent image characteristics are observed. A. Most CBs are positioned at 45° with respect to the polarizers; a circular arrangement of CBs is evident in the center of this image. Such an arrangement is maintained in B through I, despite changes in their birefringence. D. Most CBs appear to be oriented at 45° with respect to the polarizer-analyzer, but they are oriented in the opposite direction with respect to the preceding figures. Following the clockwise rotation of the microscope stage from D-I, changes in the birefringent images continue to be observed. I. Almost all fibers forming the CBs attain a relatively maximal extinction position. The large arrows in the X- and Y-axis directions represent the polarizer and analyzer PPL, respectively. Bar = 100 µm.