Functional architecture of the splenic vein in the adult human

The spatial arrangement of the muscular, elastic and collagenous fibers was examined in 20 splenic veins of adult humans. Histologic and panorganographic sections were stained by the following methods: azan, resorcinfuchsin (Weigert), Verhoeff-van Gieson's stain and Masson's trichrome. Unstained sections were examined under polarized light. The results show that the muscular and collagenous fibers of the splenic vein exhibit an elongated spiral arrangement with no polarization. The elastic fibers form a threedimensional network disposed predominantly in a longitudinal direction. Hemodynamics are discussed based on the spatial structure of the muscular, elastic and collagenous elements of the vein wall and its relationship with the circulatory functions of the spleen.