Surface characteristics of normal and atherosclerotic human arteries including observations suggesting interaction...

High resolution casts of the femoral and coronary arteries were made at physiologic pressure in 44 cadavers. A magnifying surface and profile analyzer were used for examination of the small surface characteristics of the casts. Corresponding portions of the arterial wall were compared by gross and microscopic examination. In sections without pathologic evidence of atherosclerosis, the cast surface characteristically demonstrated small longitudinal plicae, similar in size to those previously reported in studies with the scanning electron microscope. With increasing degrees of intimal thickening and atherosclerosis, longitudinal ridges were seen. In complete involvement of the intima, the ridge pattern was replaced by a locally smooth, grossly irregular surface. The orientation of ridges at curves and near branches and discrete plaques suggested the direction of secondary surface flow streamlines expected of these areas on the basis of hydrodynamic theory. Therefore, there may be formative interactions between blood flow and wall structure on a more local basis than previously surmised.