title: A morphometric study of age-related changes in the elastic systems of the common carotid artery and internal carotid artery in humans.
abstract: The present study aims to quantify the distribution of the elastic fiber system in the walls of the common carotid artery and the internal carotid artery in humans. In order to identify specific fibers, segments of carotid arteries were stained using the Verhoeff (for elastic fibers), Weigert (for elastic and elauninic fibers) and Weigert-oxone (for elauninic and oxytalanic fibers) methods. A histomorphometric study was undertaken in order to estimate the linear density (LV) of the fibrous components present in the elastic system and determine the total length of these components in each segment. Microscopic fields were sampled using a test system in which the colors and bands defined in the current study were superimposed on the histological preparations. Data were analyzed through linear regression using first-order rate equations and computer software. The internal carotid artery can be loosely defined as muscular in nature. In order to classify common carotid arteries, it is necessary to consider subject age. From 0 to 30 years of age, the LV of mature elastic fibers does not change significantly in either (left or right) common carotid artery, although a significant reduction in the LV of this type of fiber occurs in the right internal carotid artery. The most marked reduction in oxytalanic and elauninic fibers occurs between 0 and 10 years of age, becoming less intense between the ages of 10 and 30.
authors.affiliation: Department of Morphophysiological Sciences, State University of Maringá, PR, Brazil.
authors.forename: Célia Regina de Godoy
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Gomes
authors.forename: Renato Paulo
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Chopard
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D017536:Carotid Artery, Common / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D002343:Carotid Artery, Internal / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004547:Elastic Tissue / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D017540:Tunica Media / Q000033:anatomy & histology