Eur J Anat, 17 (1): 1-8 (2013)

Histomorphometric study of intracranial internal carotid artery in man

Shaifaly M. Rustagi¹, Veena Bharihoke²

¹Department of Anatomy, Lady Hardinge Medical College, Delhi ²University College of Medical Sciences and Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, Delhi, India

ABSTRACT The incidence of cerebrovascular diseases in man is on an increase. Atherosclerotic lesions in intracranial vessels are the usual cause. The normal parameters and histological changes in the intracranial internal carotid arteries, one of the feeder vessels to the brain, were studied in apparently healthy young adults of the Indian population.Gross and histomorphometric features of the intracavernous part of the internal carotid artery (ICA) were studied in the Indian population, in order to determine normal parameters, and observe structural changes in healthy young individuals. Length and outer diameter of ICA were taken in 100 autopsy cases. Cases were grouped according to age â?? Group I: <20 years, Group II: 20-40 years, and Group III: >40 years. Thirty pairs of vessels were processed for paraffin sectioning (young adults: 20-40 years). Seven-micrometers-thick transverse sections were stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin, Massonâ??s Trichrome and Verhoeffâ??s Stains.The length was found to be significantly greater on the left side in Groups II and III. The outer diameter was found to be significantly longer in the left side Group III. The mean thickness of tunica intima was found to be greater on the right side.Preatherosclerotic ageing changes were observed in the third decade of life in apparently healthy young individuals.

Keywords: Atherosclerosis, Cerebral vessels, Indian population, Internal carotid artery