[Postmortem changes in the endothelial contour of the surface of large human arteries]

Changes in the relief of the endothelial surface of the common carotid artery common iliac artery in man in the postmortem period were studied by the method of scanning electron microscopy. It is established that the normal relief of the inner surface of the vessels could be studied only during the first few hours after death. Rapidly developing postmortem changes lead to drastic distortion of the stratified endothelial surface and to desquamation of the endothelial lining. On the 2nd and 3rd day of the postmortem period the relief of the inner surface of the vessel is determined by the elements which are incorporated into the composition of the subendothelial layer of the intima.