Histomorphometric study of the aorta and brachiocephalic artery in neonate and adult cat

Knowledge of the structure of the aorta and brachiocephalic artery is important for properly functioning arteries. Morphometrical and histological studies were performed on 20 cats (10 adults and 10 neonates). After euthanizing, routine tissue processing was carried out by autotechnicon. The processed tissues were embedded in paraffin and sectioned serially into 5 μm thickness. The sections were stained with Masson's trichrome and orcein. Sections were measured with special digital microscope. In both ages, aorta and brachiocephalic artery were of elastic type and the number of elastic lamellae in the tunica media of aorta was more than brachiocephalic artery. In both arteries diameter of artery and thickness of tunica intima, media and adventitia were more in adult than neonate. In both ages the diameter of artery and thickness of tunica intima and media were more in aorta compared with brachiocephalic artery but tunica adventitia in brachiocephalic artery was thicker than in aorta.