STRUCTURAL CHANGES IN THE TUNICA INTIMA OF VARICOSE VEINS: A HISTOPATHOLOGICAL AND ULTRASTRUCTURAL STUDY

Summary Many factors have been implicated in the aetiology of varicose veins; however, there is ample evidence implicating that the defect is in the wall of the lower limb veins. In order to know the pathological changes in the tunica intima of varicose veins, the smooth muscle cells (SMCs), collagen and elastin of varicose and control patients were studied by light and electron microscopy. The morphological changes in the SMCs, collagen and elastin point to a possible secretory or phagocytic role of the SMCs in producing abnormal immature collagen or elastin fibres or in modulation of function of SMCs due to excessive production of extracellular matrix (ECM).Abbreviations: VVs, varicose veins; SMCs, smooth muscle cells; VG, Van Gieson; ECM, extracellular matrix.

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