[Aging in the human tongue from autopsies. Histometrical study. 1. Degree of stenosis of lingual arteries].
Tongues from 119 autopsies were fixed in 20% neutral formalin. The transversely cut segments from the middle parts of the tongues were embedded in paraffin. Histologic sections of 5 microns thickness were prepared. Lingual tissue were examined histologically. Specimens were stained by hematoxylin-eosin, elastica van Gieson, and Azan-Mallory stainings. The stenotic index of human lingual arteries (area of lumen/area of intima and lumen of lingual artery x 100) (S.I) was calculated on the elastica van Gieson-stained slides by using an image analyzer system (Pias, LA555N). The results were as follows: 1. The lingual arteries, showed rupture and multilamellation of lamina elastica interna, as well as proliferation of intimal elastic fiber in almost all cases. 2. A decrease in the S.I was indicated in the lingual arteries with the progress of aging. 3. Calcification was observed at the intima and media of lingual arteries in a small number of cases (5 cases). These findings indicated that histological changes due to arteriosclerosis of lingual arteries was intimal thickening and lipid deposion; atherosclerotic changes was not observed.
Ohuchi
T
T
Department of Oral Pathology, Higashi-Nippon-Gakuen University.
Nakade
O
O
Kanno
H
H
Abe
H
H
Takahashi
K
K
Kaku
T
T
Satoh
M
M
Mishina
T
T
Ogawa
A
A
Ebina
K
K
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging; D001158:Arteries / Q000473:pathology*; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000473:pathology*; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014059:Tongue / Q000098:blood supply*