Light and electron microscopic studies on human temporal arteries with special reference to alterations related to senescence, atherosclerosis and giant cell arteritis

F. Parker, L. A. Healey, K. R. Wilske, G. F. Odland

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

50 Scopus citations

Abstract

Temporal artery biopsy specimens from 26 patients of various ages with and without giant cell arteritis afforded an opportunity to examine several ultrastructural features of these human muscular arteries, including senescent and atherosclerotic alterations and the fine structural pathology of temporal arteritis. The unusual pathologic features of temporal arteritis were found superimposed on the progressive accumulation of smooth muscle cells, collagen and occasional discrete intimal atherosclerotic plaques in the intima of aging arteries. Two features of giant cell arteritis were conspicuous: first, the accumulation of large numbers of histiocytes and epithelioid and giant cells at the intimal medial junction and second, fragmentation, degeneration and dissolution of the internal elastic lamina. The close proximity of the granulomatous reaction to the degenerating lamina suggests that these 2 aspects of the pathologic picture are in some way related, and possible immunologic mechanisms of this relationship are discussed on the basis of the ultrastructural findings.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)57-80
Number of pages24
JournalAmerican Journal of Pathology
Volume79
Issue number1
StatePublished - 1975
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pathology and Forensic Medicine

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Light and electron microscopic studies on human temporal arteries with special reference to alterations related to senescence, atherosclerosis and giant cell arteritis'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this