Phylo- and -ontogenetically determined local changes in the structure of the arterial wall of vertebrates. Macroscopical findings.
It has been shown, by means of comparative anatomical, phylo- and -ontogenetic studies, that the focal structural changes occuring at seven points in the wall of the aortic arch and brachiocephalic arteries of reptiles, birds, and mammals, and in human-beinmnants of certain vessels which have regressed during embryonic development. They are considered to be loci minoris resistentiae and might therefore represent a site of predilection for pathological lesions, such as atherosclerosis. The existence of these "scars" in human-beings and birds has already been described. This paper presents definitive proof of their occurrence in reptiles (sea-turtle and crocodile) and mammals (dog, calf, sheep and monkey). It is therefore concluded that the "scars" in the aortic arch and brachiocephalic arteries are of phylogenetic origin.
D000489:Alligators and Crocodiles / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D000717:Anatomy, Comparative; D000818:Animals; D000866:Antelopes / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D001011:Aorta / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000166:cytology; D005075:Biological Evolution; D016122:Brachiocephalic Trunk / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000166:cytology; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D002417:Cattle; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D000882:Haplorhini; D008297:Male; D008322:Mammals / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D010802:Phylogeny; D012104:Reptiles / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D012756:Sheep / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D013348:Subclavian Artery / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D014426:Turtles / Q000033:anatomy & histology