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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2009 May 10.
Published in final edited form as: Matrix Biol. 2007 Nov 13;27(3):171–181. doi: 10.1016/j.matbio.2007.10.008

Figure 8. Revised 3D Medial Aortic Microstructure.

Figure 8

Artistic rendering of aortic medial microstructure from SBFSEM volume. Aortic media shows complex, interconnected structure. ELASTIN features include elastic lamellae (EL), dense network of interlamellar elastin fibers (IEFs shown with black arrows), elastin struts (ES), & reinforced elastin pores (EP). SMOOTH MUSCLE CELL (SMC) features include staggered elliptical nuclei (N) oriented circumferentially with radial tilt, & cytoplasm (Cyt) abuts IEFs & overlaps adjacent SMCs. COLLAGEN features include large & small fiber bundles (white arrows) adjacent to lamellar surfaces, arranged in layers of parallel bundles oriented predominantly circumferentially. Image dimensions (θ × Z × r) are 80μm × 60μm × 45μm, with lumen surface at top. (r indicates radial direction, z axial, and θcircumferential).

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