Untersuchungen �ber die Lebenswandlungen der unteren Hohlvene und ihre Ver�nderungen unter pathologischen Kreislaufverh�ltnissen

Membrane potential of vascular mono- and multinuclear endothelial cells cultured in vitro

Membrane potential (-19.1 mV) and fraction (about 1%) of multinuclear endothelial cells from calf aorta (in vitro) were determined and compared with mononuclear cells (-8.2 mV).

The endothelial surface of large veins of rabbit: scanning electron microscopic observations

The following veins of the rabbit were fixed by perfusion and studied systematically by scanning electron microscopy: sagittal sinus, confluence of sinuses, external jugular vein, superior vena cava, inferior vena cava, greater saphenous, and femoral veins. One result is that the shape and arrangement of endothelial cells of the veins are obviously influenced by hemodynamic shear forces. Two types of subendothelial fibres were demonstrated: "cross-fibers" which correspond to the circular inner muscle cells of the media, and "longitudinal fibers" which correspond to the intimal meshwork of connective tissue fibers. Regional differences are demonstrated in the occurrence of these fibres. Moreover, five morphologically different venous valve types are observed. The functional significance of these different valve types is not yet known.