Related Experiment Videos
The milky spots on the chest wall in newborns
S Aharinejad1, P Franz, W Firbas
1First Department of Anatomy, University of Vienna, Austria.
Acta Anatomica
|January 1, 1990
Insights
Histologic properties of pleural adipose organs in newborns were examined. These organs feature milky spots that may function in defense and fluid exchange in infants.
Area of Science:
- Histology
- Immunology
- Adipose Tissue Biology
Background:
- Pleural adipose organs are poorly understood structures in newborns.
- Their role in infant physiology requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the histologic characteristics of pleural adipose organs in neonatal specimens.
- To identify cellular components and potential functions of these organs.
Main Methods:
- Histologic examination of pleural adipose organs from 14 newborn infants.
- Microscopic analysis to identify cellular populations and tissue architecture.
Main Results:
- Pleural adipose organs contain distinct structures known as milky spots.
- Milky spots are composed of lymphocytes, macrophages, and plurivacuolated fat cells.
- These spots are covered by mesothelium and persist up to 9 months of age.
Conclusions:
- Milky spots within pleural adipose organs may serve as defense mechanisms.
- These structures potentially play a role in fluid exchange in neonates.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the precise functions of pleural adipose organs.
Abstract:
The histologic properties of pleural adipose organs were studied in 14 newborns. These organs contain milky spots, in which lymphocytes, macrophages and plurivacuolated fat cells are present. The milky spots have a mesothelial covering, persist to the age of 9 months and seem to act as defence devices and a site of fluid exchange.