The lumen of iliac arteries in normal and pathological conditions

Two hundred corrosion preparations of iliac arteries were made with polyester resins of known polymerization contraction. The measurements were taken with the accuracy of 0.1 mm, at the initial and final segment of the cast of the studied vessel. Because of the oval shape of the vascular lumen the greatest and smallest sizes were measured at the same level. The lumen of normal iliac arteries appeared to be almost round, the surface of the cast was even and smooth and the vessels ran a straight course. The lumen of pathologically changed arteries showed abnormalities of shape, constrictions and dilatations, the course of vessels was tortuous. The size of the lumen of common and external iliac arteries gradually increases with age, being always larger in men than in women. No such relationship was found as regard the internal iliac arteries. These results may be useful in the interpretation of angiograms and in establishing of indications for surgery.