[Functional morphology of conjunctive tissue stroma of spleen in the age aspect]

The article presents the data on the structural and functional changes of conjunctive tissue of the spleen in postnatal ontogenesis of a person. The study was performed on 125 cadaveric spleens of the people of both sexes, who died from traumas and diseases not causing pathologic changes in the spleen. Definition of ontogenetic phases and chronological confines of age periods was identified according to Bunak V. V. (1965). The measurement of linear dimensions and mass of organ, histological, histochemical study and morphometry were performed. According to factual evidence, at the age from birth to 4 years the content of lymphatic follicles increases against a background of decrease of conjunctive tissue component and red pulp in the area of spleen section. By 8 or 10 years the part of lymphoid tissue decreases, but the part of conjunctive tissue and red pulp increases. Ageing symptoms are revealed at the age of 18, the increase of volume of conjunctive tissue component and destruction of external elastic membrane of trabecular artery of spleen take place. The destruction of elastic and reticulin fibers of soft skeleton, reduction of cellular elements (cells, fibroblasts and fibrocytes) and conjunctive tissue stroma collagenization are observed at a mature and old age.