Age Related Histological Changes in Tunica Intima of Coronary Arteries in Relevance to the Atherosclerosis

Coronary arteries were dissected out from 96 human hearts including 54 males and 42 females in all age groups. The changes occurring in the internal elastic lamina (IEL) and thickness of tunica intima were studied in all the four major coronary arteries in both the sexes. The thickness was measured with ocular micrometer. Aldehyde fuchsine stain was used to stain the internal elastic lamina. A gradual increase in intimal thickness was reported upto fourth decade followed by a gradual fall. Main changes observed in internal elastic lamina were reduplication, fragmentation and stretching with advancing age.