A study of the ultrastructure of developing human umbilical vessels

Electron microscopic techniques were used to examine the ultrastructure of developing human umbilical arteries and vein (8-12, 13-17 and 37-40 wk gestational age). These showed that with increasing age there is (1) an increase in the size of the lumen and the thickness of the media; (2) an increase...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inJournal of anatomy Vol. 188 ( Pt 1); no. Pt 1; pp. 75 - 85
Main Authors Sexton, A J, Turmaine, M, Cai, W Q, Burnstock, G
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published England 01.02.1996
Subjects
Endothelium, Vascular - ultrastructure
Female
Gestational Age
Humans
Microscopy, Electron
Muscle, Smooth, Vascular - ultrastructure
Pregnancy
Umbilical Arteries - growth & development
Umbilical Arteries - ultrastructure
Umbilical Veins - growth & development
Umbilical Veins - ultrastructure
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Summary:Electron microscopic techniques were used to examine the ultrastructure of developing human umbilical arteries and vein (8-12, 13-17 and 37-40 wk gestational age). These showed that with increasing age there is (1) an increase in the size of the lumen and the thickness of the media; (2) an increase in the ratio of contractile smooth muscle phenotypic cells; (3) an increase in the myofilament content of the smooth muscle cells and the number of Weibel-Palade bodies; (4) a decrease in the glycogen content; (5) an appearance of microvilli on the luminal surface of the endothelium. Lipid vesicles, nerves and vasa vasorum were not observed in any region of the umbilical vein or arteries.
Bibliography:ObjectType-Article-1
SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1
ObjectType-Feature-2
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ISSN:0021-8782
1469-7580