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. 1996 Feb;188(Pt 1):75–85.

A study of the ultrastructure of developing human umbilical vessels.

A J Sexton 1, M Turmaine 1, W Q Cai 1, G Burnstock 1
PMCID: PMC1167635  PMID: 8655418

Abstract

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.

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Selected References

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