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[The age-specific changes in the wall of the arterial circle of Willis]

N A Trushel', P G Pivchenko, E I Bel'chikov

    Sudebno-Meditsinskaia Ekspertiza
    |June 27, 2013
    PubMed

    Insights

    Age determination after death can be estimated by measuring intimal pads in the Willis arterial circle. This study documents normal age-related changes in vessel walls from birth to 75 years.

    Area of Science:

    • Forensic Anthropology
    • Vascular Anatomy
    • Histology

    Background:

    • Accurate postmortem age determination is crucial in forensic investigations.
    • The Willis arterial circle's vascular structure undergoes changes throughout life.
    • Intimal pads in arteries are potential indicators of aging.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To create a database of morphometric and morphological characteristics of the Willis arterial circle wall.
    • To establish a method for postmortem age determination using vascular features.
    • To analyze age-related changes in the intima thickness of specific arteries.

    Main Methods:

    • Histological analysis of vascular cross-sections from 130 human corpses (0-75 years).
    • Measurement of intima thickness (intimal pads) at arterial bifurcations (internal carotid and basilar arteries).
    • Staining techniques (hematoxylin/eosin, van Gieson's, Unnar-Tenzer) and morphometric analysis using specialized software.

    Main Results:

    • A table of intimal pad development during postnatal ontogenesis was created.
    • Significant correlation observed between intimal pad thickness and chronological age.
    • Thickening of intimal pads and thinning of the muscular layer are normal age-related vascular changes.

    Conclusions:

    • The developed database and methodology allow for approximate postmortem age determination.
    • Intimal pad morphology serves as a reliable indicator of aging in the Willis arterial circle.
    • Understanding these normal age-related vascular changes is vital for forensic science.

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